Search

• Proposes an analytic framework to identify when a adaptation operating rule is needed. • Introduces the probability change-point analysis technique into failure warning time. • Evaluates the proposed framework based on a real-world case study in China. This paper presents a methodology for the identification of the time tipping point where historical operating rules of a reservoir system should be replaced by new alternatives due to climate change. The time tipping point is a time indicator of the failure probability change point of the historical operating rules for the reservoir system under future climate change, called the failure warning time. For this study, the primary purpose of the reservoir system is hydropower generation. We first estimate the probability density function of the annual benefit of hydropower generation. Then, based on the estimated probability density function and the given risk tolerance level of the reservoir system, we determine the risk-based warning threshold, and further identify the failure warning time of the historical operating rules via the probability change-point analysis technique. We apply the proposed methodology to the Xiluodu-Xiangjiaba-Three Gorges cascade reservoir system on the Yangtze River in China. The results indicate that the failure warning time for the cascade reservoir system will occur in at least another 10 years in the future under climate change. We also find that the failure response in the cascade reservoir system is determined by both the reservoir that has the first failure occurrence and its storage capacity. The developed methodology can be used to determine the time tipping point to launch adaptation strategies for the river basin management, and further can help policymakers cope with climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]