Abstract:
Application of optimisation techniques to reservoir operation has become a major focus of water resources planning and management. Traditionally, reservoir operation has been based on heuristic procedures, embracing rule curves and, to a certain extent, subjective judgements by the operator. More efficient solutions, however, can be obtained by coupling a simulation model with an optimisation algorithm for optimising reservoir operation in a multi-objective context. The focus of the present study is the operation of the Hoa Binh reservoir in Vietnam, considering hydropower production and downstream fl ood control including the protection of the capital Hanoi. Using the hydrodynamic simulation model MIKE 11, the existing operation rules were incorporated in the model, and the reservoir performance evaluated in comparison with alternative operation strategies suggesting a scope for improvement of both hydropower production and downstream flood control. Subsequently, the Shuffled Complex Evolution (SCE) algorithm was coupled with MIKE 11, and through Pareto optimisation it was shown that choosing a balanced optimum would result in an increase of the hydropower production without compromising the downstream flood protection. Finally, the possibility of using real-time information on forecasted reservoir inflows to improve short-term operation was addressed, and it was indicated that flexible, real-time optimisation procedures can further improve the performance of the reservoir operation in comparison to a strict application of the optimised rule curves.
