Tethys Forecasting System

Reliable probabilistic inflow forecasting for optimal reservoir management

Employing a ground-breaking combination of artificial intelligence and classical hydrological modelling, the Tethys system is helping to manage some of the tallest, largest, and most iconic hydropower systems in the world.

Cahora Bassa Dam

Largest HPP in Southern Africa (2075 MW)

The Cahora Bassa Dam is a concrete arch dam located in the Zambezi river, in Mozambique. It is 171 m high and forms the Cahora Bassa reservoir, which has a volume of 70 km³. It is one of the major dams in Africa. The dam is used mainly for hydropower generation, producing energy to be used in Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe. The Cahora Bassa hydropower plant is the largest in Southern Africa, with an installed capacity of 2075 MW and an average production of approximately 14000 GWh per year.
Besides its crucial role in energy generation, Cahora Bassa can reduce the natural floods in the Zambezi. By storing flood water in its enormous reservoir, the dam can reduce inundations downstream and buy precious time for evacuating potentially affected areas.

Enguri Dam

Highest concrete arch dam outside of China (271.5 m)

The Enguri Dam, located in the Enguri River, Georgia, was completed in 1987. It ranks among the highest dams in the world and has an installed capacity of 1300 MW. Anually, it produces about 4300 GWh of electricity which are vital to the regional econominy, namely to Abkhazia and Georgia.
Draining a mountaneous catchment where snow/ice accumulation and melt drive the hydrologic cycle, the Enguri Dam makes use of its reservoir to regulate flows and ensure a stable energy output during winter. In parallel, the dam has to cope with flood that may occur during spring and summer. Accurate inflow forecasting is essential to optimally fulfil these tasks.

Rogun Dam

To be the highest dam in the world (335 m, presently under construction)

The Rogun Dam is located in the Vakhsh River, in Tajikistan, and is presently under construction. It is an embankment dam which that will become the highest dam in the world, with a hight of 335 m. Once completed, the dam will form a reservoir of 14 km³. Its main role will be energy production and the total installed capacity will be of 3600 MW.
Flood management is extremely important during construction. Adequate forecasts of incoming floods allow the reservoir level to be adequately managed and potentialy protect lives and equipment.

Orbe Cascade

Prediction on a challenging Karstic environment (under development)

The Orbe River is a mountainous river located in the Jura Mountains of Switzerland. It exhibits typical characteristics of a mountain river, including steep gradients, rocky substrate, and fast-flowing waters. There are several hydropower schemes along the Orbe River.
The hydrological behavior of the Orbe River is extremely difficult to predict due to the presence of Karst systems undergroud that lead to the formation of underground drainage systems that act as pipes and reservoirs. Tethys uses state-of-the-art AI to cope with this challenge.

Nurek Dam

The 2^nd highest dam in the world (300 m) (under development)

The Nurek Dam has been the highest dam in the world, but has since been relegated to 2^nd place. This embankment dam, completed in 1980, holds a reservoir of 10.5 km³. Its main role will be energy production and has an installed capacity in excess of 3000 MW.

Adequate short-term and seasonal forecasts are a useful tool to manage the reservoir optimally during floods and plan generation during the winter and summer months.