${\mathrm{DYN}}^2$ Method for Optimal Control of Water Flow in Open Channels

A new method for the optimal real‐time control of water transport in open channels, called ${\mathrm{DYN}}^2\text{,}$ is presented. This method was developed for controlling a class of water conveyance systems where so‐called dynamic regulation (DR), proposed by the Société du Canal de Provence (France), is the basic control method. The DR concept is based on the heuristic policy, which compensates for downstream cumulative volume error. In ${\mathrm{DYN}}^2\text{,}$ however, optimal control theory is applied to solve the water‐transport control problem more precisely than would be possible using the heuristic approach. Applying dynamic programming (DP) to DR, the ${\mathrm{DYN}}^2$ method was derived—thus the name ${\mathrm{DYN}}^2\text{.}$ Advantages of DYN2 over DR are described. Both the ${\mathrm{DYN}}^2$ and DR have been applied on the Strezevo irrigation system (in Southern Yugoslavia, near Greece), resulting in the development of a state‐of‐the‐art computer‐based supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system. In this system, a computer makes decisions based on either DR or ${\mathrm{DYN}}^2$ methods (depending on the operator's choice) and automatically controls system operations (closed‐loop system). The objective is minimizing water loss and volume errors in canal reaches while meeting a number of constraints in the system.