The traditional method of correlation analysis is limited to obtaining the superficial correlation while incapable of mining the potential correlation information between the sequences

but leading to the loss of the reference information provided to power system for operation and dispatching. For this reason

an optimal time-delay method is proposed to analyze the potential correlation between generalized load sequences. By delaying the sequences properly

the proposed method digs out the indirect correlation between generalized load sequences. Firstly

the time shift range and time monotonicity of sequences are regarded as constraints

then the objective function is built to obtain the maximum Pearson correlation coefficient. Secondly

the calculation strategy of the model is proposed. Finally

the data of a German region is taken to act as an example to analyze and calculate the correlation of each day

each month and whole year respectively

and then the maximum correlation coefficient and the required shift time are statistically obtained. The analysis results show that

compared with the traditional analysis method

the proposed method can dig out the potential delay correlation between sequences. As a result

the method of correlation analysis of generalized sequences

which includes wind energy

photovoltaic energy

load and etcetera

is perfected and provides more comprehensive reference information to power system for operation and dispatching.