WEB.BM – a web-based river basin management model with multiple time-step optimization and the SSARR channel routing options

ABSTRACT

This paper presents the WEB.BM model for multipurpose multireservoir river basin management that uses Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) solver to optimize basin operation over single or multiple time steps, with flexible time step length and optional use of both reservoir and hydrological channel routing. The principal novelty is the capability of the model to solve multiple time step optimization while simultaneously properly accounting for hydrological channel routing as constraints to optimization, which is demonstrated on two numerical tests presented in this paper, which can be used as benchmark by other researchers. There are no other known optimization-based river basin management models with this capability. The model can include multiple reservoirs, hydropower plants, environmental flow targets, return flows from irrigation, diversion volume licences, apportionment agreements between neighbouring states and net evaporation. Operating priorities among users are represented by a selection of user-defined weight factors. The model can be accessed at www.riverbasinmanagement.com.

KEYWORDS:

• water resources systems
• reservoir operation
• system optimization
• multiple time-step optimization
• hydrological river routing

Editor A. Castellarin Associate Editor E. Davies

Editor A. Castellarin Associate Editor E. Davies

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Alberta Innovates [G2020000140]; and by Optimal Solutions Ltd., Calgary, Alberta [G2020000140].