Optimal operation of multi-reservoir system for flood control and hydroelectric generation

In this research, a flood control operating strategy is developed based on a simulation-optimization model to reduce flood damage downstream of multi-reservoir systems by using spillway gates. For this purpose, an optimization algorithm is introduced, in which the maximum water level of the downstream control points and hydropower potential generation in the flood season are objective functions, and the level of the stages of spillway gates are the decision variables. A global optimization tool, Shuffled Complex Evolution (SCE) algorithm implemented in the AUTOCAL software was coupled with the Mike 11 from DHI simulation model for optimizing stages level of spillway gates. As a case study, the Vu Gia Thu Bon rivers catchment including multi-reservoirs of A Vuong, Song Tranh 2, Dak Mi 4 and Song Bung 4 is analyzed. The proposed method was demonstrated to provide an effective tradeoff between flood control and hydropower generation.