Optimization of hydropower and related benefits through Cascade Reservoirs for sustainable economic growth

Abstract

Reservoirs are major indicators of sustainable socio-economic development, agriculture and energy. This study focused on genetic algorithm based optimization of rule curves for maximizing the hydropower and associated benefits through cascade reservoirs. Optimization has been carried out using RESOOSE model for maximizing hydro-power, irrigation and evacuation of sediment from multipurpose Diamer Basha and Terbela Reservoirs on Indus River in Pakistan. The best methods and values of Genetic Algorithm computed through sensitivity analysis were tournament selection method with 2 teams, population size 288, single point crossover method with crossover probability 0.8 and adapt feasible mutation method. The policy equations on storage, outflows and hydropower for the cascade reservoirs in series were formulated. The maximum annual overall benefits were 3380 Million US$ for multi-objective optimization of joint operation of Terbela and Diamer Basha Reservoirs, where hydropower was major contributor among all the associated benefits with highest annual benefits of 2724.7 Million US$. The results demonstrate that hydropower has been optimized along with maximization of the associated benefits. The optimized rule curves of the cascade reservoirs developed in the study have enhanced the overall benefits for achieving SDGs of zero hunger, affordable clean energy, economic growth and water availability.