Optimising Reservoir Operation Using a Multi-objective Simulation-optimisation Framework

A simulation-optimisation framework is presented that couples a hydraulic and hydrological simulation model with a numerical optimisation algorithm for optimising reservoir operations with respect to different management objectives. The optimisation tool includes a general multi-objective methodology that searches for the set of non-dominated or Pareto optimal solutions according to the trade-offs between the different objectives. The framework can be used off-line for optimising rulecurve operation strategies as well as on-line for real-time optimisation utilising real-time and forecast information about reservoir inflows and water demands. Operational improvements using the developed simulation-optimisation framework are demonstrated on three case studies.