Using Multiobjective Optimization to Find Optimal Operating Rules for Short-Term Planning of Water Grids

Water grids are emerging as a means to address water scarcity in urban areas. These water grids are more complex than traditional supply systems, bringing new challenges to water-grid management. This paper seeks to address these challenges by demonstrating the capability of multiobjective optimization to aid in short-term operational planning for water grids. A framework for applying multiobjective optimization to short-term operational planning is demonstrated for a case study based on the South East Queensland Water Grid in Australia. The aim of the case study application is to find short-term (1 year) operating rules that maximize water security, minimize operational cost, and minimize spills from reservoirs. The results of the optimization process are a number of operating options, comprising sets of operating rules that perform optimally in terms of the objectives. The range of operating rules and objective performance found in the optimization process allows the decision-maker to explore the trade-offs in decision-making and to choose a set of operating rules based on their preferences on the management objectives.