Water supply reservoir operation by combined genetic algorithm–linear programming (GA–LP) approach

Multi-reservoir operation planning is a complex task involving many variables, objectives, and decisions. This paper applies a hybrid method using genetic algorithm (GA) and linear programming (LP) developed by the authors to determine operational decisions for a reservoir system over the optimization period. This method identifies part of the decision variables called cost reduction factors (CRFs) by GA and operational variables by LP. CRFs are introduced into the formulation to discourage reservoir depletion in the initial stages of the planning period. These factors are useful parameters that can be employed to determine operational decisions such as optimal releases and imports, in response to future inflow predictions. A part of the Roadford Water Supply System, UK, is used to demonstrate the performance of the GA–LP method in comparison to the RELAX algorithm. The proposed approach obtains comparable results ensuring non zero final storages in the larger reservoirs of the Roadford Hydrosystem. It shows potential for generating operating policy in the form of hegging rules without a priori imposition of their form.