Development of Operational Policy for a Multi-reservoir System in India using Genetic Algorithm

A genetic algorithm (GA) and a backward moving stochastic dynamic programming (SDP) model has been developed for derivation of operational policies for a multi-reservoir system in Kodaiyar River Basin, Tamil Nadu, India. The model was developed with the objective of minimizing the annual sum of squared deviation of desired target releases. The total number of population, crossover probability and number of generations of the GA model was optimized using sensitivity analysis, and penalty function method was used to handle the constraints. The policies developed using the SDP model was evaluated using a simulation model with longer length of inflow data generated using monthly time stepped Thomas–Fiering model. The performance of the developed policies were evaluated using the performance criteria namely, the monthly frequency of irrigation deficit (MFID), Monthly average irrigation deficit (MAID), Percentage monthly irrigation deficit (PMID), Annual frequency of irrigation deficit (AFID), Annual average irrigation deficit (AAID), and Percentage annual irrigation deficit (PAID). Based on the performance, it was concluded that the robostic, probabilistic, random search GA resulted in better optimal operating policies for a multi-reservoir system than the SDP models.     

Genetic Algorithm for Optimal Operating Policy of a Multipurpose Reservoir

This paper presents a Genetic Algorithm (GA) model for finding the optimal operating policy of a multi-purpose reservoir, located on the river Pagladia, a major tributary of the river Brahmaputra. A synthetic monthly streamflow series of 100 years is used for deriving the operating policy. The policies derived by the GA model are compared with that of the stochastic dynamic programming (SDP) model on the basis of their performance in reservoir simulation for 20 years of historic monthly streamflow. The simulated result shows that GA-derived policies are promising and competitive and can be effectively used for reservoir operation.     

Synchronizing Artificial Intelligence Models for Operating the Dam and Reservoir System

It is remarkable that several hydrological parameters have a significant effect on the reservoir operation. Therefore, operating the reservoir system is complex issue due to existing the nonlinearity hydrological variables. Hence, determining modern model has high ability in handling reservoir operation is crucial. The present study developed artificial intelligence model, called Shark Machine Learning Algorithm (SMLA) to provide optimal operational rules. The major objective for the proposed model is minimizing the deficit volume between water releases and the irrigation water demand. The current study compared the performance of the SML model with popular evolutionary computing methods, namely Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Genetic Algorithm (GA). The proposed models have been utilized of finding the optimal policies to operate Timah Tasoh Dam, which is located in Malaysia. The study utilized considerable statistical indicators to explore the efficiency of the models. The simulation period showed that SMLA approach outperforms both of conventional algorithms. The SMLA attained high Reliability and Resilience (Rel. = 0.98%, Res. = 50%) and minimum Vulnerability (Vul. = 21.9 of demand). It is demonstrated that shark machine learning algorithm would be a promising tool in handling the long-term optimization problem in operation a reservoir system.     

Single Reservoir Operating Policies Using Genetic Algorithm

To obtain optimal operating rules for storage reservoirs, large numbers of simulation and optimization models have been developed over the past several decades, which vary significantly in their mechanisms and applications. As every model has its own limitations, the selection of appropriate model for derivation of reservoir operating rule curves is difficult and most often there is a scope for further improvement as the model selection depends on data available. Hence, evaluation and modifications related to the reservoir operation remain classical. In the present study a Genetic Algorithm model has been developed and applied to Pechiparai reservoir in Tamil Nadu, India to derive the optimal operational strategies. The objective function is set to minimize the annual sum of squared deviation form desired irrigation release and desired storage volume. The decision variables are release for irrigation and other demands (industrial and municipal demands), from the reservoir. Since the rule curves are derived through random search it is found that the releases are same as that of demand requirements. Hence based on the present case study it is concluded that GA model could perform better if applied in real world operation of the reservoir.     

Effect of inflow forecast accuracy and operating time horizon in optimizing irrigation releases

In this study, application of Genetic Algorithms (GA) is demonstrated to optimize reservoir release policies to meet irrigation demand and storage requirements. As it is commonly recognized that accuracy of inflow forecast and operating time horizon affects the optimal policies, a trial-and-error approach is suggested to identify the appropriate trade-off between forecast accuracy and operating horizon. The flexibility offered by GA to set up and evaluate objective functions is exploited towards this end. The results are also compared with Linear Programming (LP) model. It is concluded that forecasts models of high accuracy are desirable, particularly when the system is to be operated for periods of high demand. In such cases, the optimization with longer time horizon ensures achievement of the objective more uniformly over the period of operation. The performance of GA is found to be better than LP, when forecast model of higher accuracy and longer period of operating horizon are considered for optimization.     

Chaotic Evolutionary Algorithms for Multi-Reservoir Optimization

The water sharing dispute in a multi-reservoir river basin forces the water resources planners to have an integrated operation of multi-reservoir system rather than considering them as a single reservoir system. Thus, optimizing the operations of a multi-reservoir system for an integrated operation is gaining importance, especially in India. Recently, evolutionary algorithms have been successfully applied for optimizing the multi-reservoir system operations. The evolutionary optimization algorithms start its search from a randomly generated initial population to attain the global optimal solution. However, simple evolutionary algorithms are slower in convergence and also results in sub-optimal solutions for complex problems with hardbound variables. Hence, in the present study, chaotic technique is introduced to generate the initial population and also in other search steps to enhance the performance of the evolutionary algorithms and applied for the optimization of a multi-reservoir system. The results are compared with that of a simple GA and DE algorithm. From the study, it is found that the chaotic algorithm with the general optimizer has produced the global optimal solution (optimal hydropower production in the present case) within lesser generations. This shows that coupling the chaotic algorithm with evolutionary algorithm will enrich the search technique by having better initial population and also converges quickly. Further, the performances of the developed policies are evaluated for longer run using a simulation model to assess the irrigation deficits. The simulation results show that the model satisfactorily meets the irrigation demand in most of the time periods and the deficit is very less.     

Optimal Reservoir Release Policy Considering Heterogeneity of Command Area by Elitist Genetic Algorithm

A number of models with conventional optimization techniques have been developed for optimization of reservoir water release policies. However these models are not able to consider the heterogeneity in the command area of the reservoir appropriately, due to non linear nature of the processes involved. The optimization model based on genetic algorithm (GA) can deal with the non linearity due to its inherent ability to consider complex simulation model as evaluation function for optimization. GA based models available in literature generally minimize the water deficits and do not optimize the total net benefits through optimal reservoir release policies. The present study focuses on optimum releases from the reservoir considering heterogeneity of the command area and responses of the command area to the releases instead of minimizing only the reservoir storage volumes. An optimization model has been developed for the reservoir releases based on elitist GA approach considering the heterogeneity of the command area. The developed model was applied to Waghad irrigation project in upper Godavari basin of Maharashtra, India. The results showed that 19% increase in the total net benefits could be possible by adopting the proposed water release policy over the present practice keeping same distribution of area under different crops. The model presented in this study can also optimize the crop area under irrigation. It is found that irrigated area can be increased to 50% of ICA (Irrigable Command Area) from the existing 23% with resulting addition to total net benefits by 31%. The effect of adopting the proposed irrigation schedule and increased irrigation areas would be to increase the net benefits to existing farmers.     

Ant Colony Optimization for Multi-Purpose Reservoir Operation

In this paper a metaheuristic technique called Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) is proposed to derive operating policies for a multi-purpose reservoir system. Most of the real world problems often involve non-linear optimization in their solution with high dimensionality and large number of equality and inequality constraints. Often the conventional techniques fail to yield global optimal solutions. The recently proposed evolutionary algorithms are also facing problems, while solving large-scale problems. In this study, it is intended to test the usefulness of ACO in solving such type of problems. To formulate the ACO model for reservoir operation, the problem is approached by considering a finite time series of inflows, classifying the reservoir volume into several class intervals, and determining the reservoir release for each period with respect to a predefined optimality criterion. The ACO technique is applied to a case study of Hirakud reservoir, which is a multi-purpose reservoir system located in India. The multiple objectives comprise of minimizing flood risks, minimizing irrigation deficits and maximizing hydropower production in that order of priority. The developed model is applied for monthly operation, and consists of two models viz., for short-time horizon operation and for long-time horizon operation. To evaluate the performance of ACO, the developed models are also solved using real coded Genetic Algorithm (GA). The results of the two models indicate that ACO model performs better, in terms of higher annual power production, while satisfying irrigation demands and flood control restrictions, compared to those obtained by GA. Finally it is found that ACO model outperforms GA model, especially in the case of long-time horizon reservoir operation.     

Optimizing Reservoir Operation Policy Using Chance Constraint Nonlinear Programming for Koga Irrigation Dam,Ethiopia

One of typical problems in water resources system modeling is derivation of optimal operating policy for reservoir to ensure water is used more efficiently. This paper introduces optimization analysis to determine monthly reservoir operating policies for five scenarios of predetermined cropping patterns for Koga irrigation scheme, Ethiopia. The objective function of the model was set to minimize the sum of squared deviation (SSD) from the desired targeted supply. Reservoir operation under different water availability and thresholds of irrigation demands has been analyzed by running a chance constraint nonlinear programming model based on uncertain inflow data. The model was optimized using Microsoft Excel Solver. The lowest SSD and vulnerability, and the highest volumetric reliability were gained at irrigation deficit thresholds of 20 % under scenario I, 30 % under scenario II, III and V, and at 40 % under scenario IV when compensation release is permitted for downstream environment. These thresholds of deficits could be reduced by 10 % for all scenarios if compensation release is not permitted. In conclusion the reservoir water is not sufficient enough to meet 100 % irrigation demand for design command areas of 7,000 ha. The developed model could be used for real time reservoir operation decision making for similar reservoir irrigation systems. In this specific case study system, attempt should be made to evaluate the technical performance of the scheme and introduce a regulated deficit irrigation application.     

Investment in Irrigation Systems under Precipitation Uncertainty

Efficient agricultural water management is indispensable in meeting future food demands. The European Water Framework Directive promotes several measures such as the adoption of adequate water pricing mechanisms or the promotion of water-saving irrigation technologies. We apply a stochastic dynamic programming model (SDPM) to analyze a farmer??s optimal investment strategy to adopt a water-efficient drip irrigation system or a sprinkler irrigation system under uncertainty about future production conditions, i.e. about future precipitation patterns. We assess the optimal timing to invest into either irrigation system in the planning period 2010 to 2040. We then investigate how alternative policies, (a) irrigation water pricing, and (b) equipment subsidies for drip irrigation, affect the investment strategy. We perform the analysis for the semi-arid agricultural production region Marchfeld in Austria, and use data from the bio-physical process simulation model EPIC (Environmental Policy Integrated Climate) which takes into account site and management related characteristics as well as weather parameters from a statistical climate change model. We find that investment in drip irrigation is unlikely unless subsidies for equipment cost are granted. Also water prices do not increase the probability to adopt a drip irrigation system, but rather delay the timing to invest into either irrigation system.