Coupled Operating Rules for Optimal Operation of Multi-Reservoir Systems

Due to the complexity of multi-reservoir system operation problems, researchers usually prefer to assume lumped demands located downstream of such systems. Consequently, distributed local demands through the system are neglected or supplied completely (e.g. using Standard operating policy, SOP), in order to simplify the problem. In this study, Coupled Operating Rules (COR) as a simple and suitable operating policy is applied for optimal operation of multi-reservoir systems with local demands. The applied policy includes two types of linear rules, which are defined to determine total releases and local water allocations in decision points. This policy is adopted within a simulation-optimization approach to optimally operate a three-reservoir system in the Karkheh river basin. Obtained results indicate that the proposed strategy reduces the intensity of demand deficits and distributes the occurred shortages throughout the system properly. Moreover, the system losses are managed appropriately and big unbalanced local shortages are prevented. Although COR strategy decreases the reliability of local demands compared to SOP, it is a reasonable operating policy for systems with distributed local demand sites. Moreover, in this study an effective Improved Melody Search (IMeS) algorithm is proposed to achieve the optimum values of operating rules’ parameters. The efficiency of the optimization method is compared to the results achieved by other selected well-known heuristic search methods. Based on the experimental results, it is revealed that the proposed algorithm is more effective in finding precise solutions over a long-term period, comparing with the other conventional algorithms.