Reservoir System Design Optimization

A method is described which determines the optimum size, number, and locations of reservoirs in a river basin using a variety of optimization techniques and evaluating promising designs on the basis of greatest economic net benefit. There are three levels of decision: choosing number and locations of reservoirs; choosing reservoir size and operating criteria; and optimizing operation. Each level is optimized in turn, the optimization processes for lower levels being nested within higher ones. Techniques are chosen for their efficiency in each part of the design. Linear programming optimizes operations; dynamic programming optimizes total benefits; and optimum seeking methods optimize design decision variables.