Genetic algorithm-based optimization of water resources allocation under drought conditions

摘要

The efficient allocation of increasingly scarce water resources is a growing challenge worldwide,nparticularly during times of drought. This paper describes the development and application of anninnovative technique to optimize the allocation of raw water supply to the city of London, UKnduring a period of drought in 2006. Using genetic algorithms, an optimization tool was developednto derive near-optimal operating strategies for the water company’s multiple reservoir system forndifferent projected rainfall scenarios and also to test the robustness of drought contingencynstrategies for operating the reservoirs down to a lower level under a severe drought condition.nThe project demonstrated that this approach is rigorous yet practical, the optimization techniquenis robust and effective and that optimal water allocation is an efficient measure to overcomenwater scarcity under drought conditions and mitigate consequent impacts. The potentialnapplication of genetic algorithms to the day to day operation of a complex water resourcensystem represents a step-change in the industry’s approach to managing such systems.