Min-max goal programming: an application to Mahanadi Reservoir Project Complex

Abstract

An application of the min-max goal programming methodology to a system of multipurpose reservoirs for optimal monthly operation has been presented in this paper. The goal programming approach possesses significant advantages because of the fact that it may be based on physical operating criteria. The system goals and constraints are expressed deterministically. A constraint must be strictly satisfied, while for a goal it is desired to achieve the solution, which is as close as possible to the specified target. The min-max goal programming model is developed and applied to the Mahanadi Reservoir Project (MRP) Complex comprising of six multipurpose reservoirs in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. The MRP Complex operations resulting from the use of the min-max goal programming model are compared to the operations resulting from three other reported optimization models with the same data set for the same operation period. The set of operations resulting from various models are comparable in their effectiveness, and in most aspects the min-max goal programming model operations are better.Key words: optimization, reservoir operation, goal programming, min-max goal programming.