Reservoir system expansion scheduling under conflicting interests

Robel T. Geressu, Julien J. Harou

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    This work proposes a many objective approach where a schedule of new dams is optimised along-side dam selections and operating rules. We investigate the extent to which changing management rules during infrastructure system expansion increases the ability to identify best performing plans. The approach links river basin simulation to many objective robust optimisation, so that expansion plans are optimised across multiple scenarios and considering multiple metrics. The approach is demonstrated using the Blue Nile hydropower reservoir system, identifying dam activation schedules that achieve efficient trade-offs for various conflicting objectives including discounted net benefits, reliable downstream releases and energy generation. Multi-reservoir system expansion scheduling formulations with three different levels of operating rule responsiveness to expansion are compared for performance and computational requirements. Results show benefits increase when release rules change as the multi-reservoir system expands, with failure to optimally adapt operating rules loosing up to 25% of NPV.
    Original languageEnglish
    JournalEnvironmental Modelling & Software
    Early online date27 Apr 2019
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2019

    Keywords

    • Infrastructure development planning
    • Capacity expansion
    • Trans-boundary systems
    • Many objective optimisation
    • Nile river basin

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