Abstract: Presently, there exists no method or even no unified scientific standard available yet to evaluate the intelligence degree of a dam, whereas this is crucial to promote intelligent dam construction. Based on the definition and fundamental characteristics of intelligent dams, this paper develops an evaluation system for assessing the intelligence degree, across the four dimensions of Perception, Analysis, Decision-Making, and Control. This system classifies intelligent dams into four major grades: Digital Intelligent Dams, Simulated Intelligent Dams, Twinned Intelligent Dams, and Intelligent-Control Intelligent Dams. Each grade focuses on one core performance, which is further divided into three levels of maturity (primary, intermediate, and advanced, respectively), totaling 12 intelligent grades. An evaluation method for intelligent dams is formulated following a certain evaluation logic, i.e. determining grades within dimensions and progressing grade by grade. Through case studies of four reservoirs, this paper explores the practicality and effectiveness of our new evaluation system and identifies directions for further improvement.

Key words: intelligent dam, dam operational period, intelligence level, intelligent grade, evaluation system