Optimization, Simulation and Multiobjective Analysis of Operating Rules for Reservoir Systems

In this paper, three steps are proposed for establishing reservoir operating rules which can be used in real-time without flow forecasting. In the first step, optimization models are used to find optimal targets for a standard operating rule for each reservoir. This is achieved via a sequential application of dynamic programming models with physical objective functions of the max-min type. In the second step, simulations with historical and synthetic records are performed in order to improve the simple standard operating rules and satisfy the decision-maker's objectives more closely. In this step, targets are changed and a set of critical storage levels as indicators for dry periods are introduced. The third and last step includes a multiobjective analysis applied to select the best operating rule among several alternatives developed in the second step.