Timing and Sizing of Complex Water Resource Systems

Procedures and computational techniques have been developed to facilitate the planning and the optimal sizing, sequencing, and timing of multiple-purpose, multiple-facility water resource developments. The procedure which is described and applied in this paper alleviates this curse of dimensionality by the use of an iterated linear programming-dynamic programming routine. It is characterized by an efficient linearization of the system relationships (to any accuracy desired), reservoir and generating plant sizing against an extended period of subnormal reservoir inflows typical of the stream critical periods, low computer time requirements, and high flexibility in testing the effects of added or changed system constraints. Description of the technique centers about, but is not limited to, a situation in which future water and power demands up to a time horizon are specified, so that the overall optimization criterion is to minimize the present worth of total project costs.