Optimization of the Operation of Large-Scale Multisource Water-Supply Systems
Publication: Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Volume 137, Issue 2
Abstract
This paper describes a simulation-optimization model aimed at helping water utilities determine the best way to operate large-scale multisource water-supply systems. The operation of water systems is optimized taking into account the principal planning objectives defined for interventions that include reducing operating costs, satisfying demand, delivering water of appropriate quality, and not prompting the use of emergency sources. The model allows that these planning objectives may not be completely fulfilled in critical circumstances (e.g., droughts) when goals have to be prioritized by the water utilities. The model is a highly nonlinear programming problem and is solved with the general algebraic modeling system (GAMS), using the MINOS algorithm (GAMS/MINOS). The application of the model to the multimunicipal urban water-supply system of the Algarve shows its capabilities for optimizing the operation considering economic and noneconomic goals included in the objective function and to cope with future shortages in critical circumstances by improving the conjunctive use of the different water sources with interannual planning time horizons.
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Acknowledgments
The writers wish to thank the water utility Águas do Algarve, S.A. for funding the research reported herein under project OPTEXPLOR (2005–2009).
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Volume 137 • Issue 2 • March 2011
Pages: 150 - 161
Copyright
© 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 28, 2009
Accepted: May 5, 2010
Published online: Jun 25, 2010
Published in print: Mar 1, 2011
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