xii
Preface
3. We do not know which are the most significant parameters in any
model in influencing the model outputs.
Nevertheless, by formulating models of river basins that mesh successfully
with the available optimization techniques, and by analyzing and improving
the models, these difficulties can be ameliorated.
In formulating the model of the river basin it is assumed that a number
of possible dam sites are available for the further regulation of imported
waters into the basin. The model has been limited to systems that have
(1) deterministic inputs, (2) a network configuration, (3) linear constraints,
and (4) capital investment and operating decisions made on a yearly and a
monthly basis, respectively, so that the operating policy and construction
policy could be optimized. The model of the system did not include (1)
stochastic effects or (2) intangible benefits and costs that could not be
quantified. Emphasis in the preparation of the model has been placed on the
diversity of applicability rather than a specific river basin.
After discussion of the criteria for and scope of the problem of expanding
an existing water resources system in Chapter 1, a water resources system
model is developed and explained in Chapter 2. In Chapter 3 an optimization strategy is developed to maximize, over the set of alternative projects,
the sum of the discounted present value of net earnings of the system
subject to the water demands and various institutional, physical, and
budgetary limits. The optimization problem is posed as a 0-1 mixed integer
programming problem that is decomposed into the set of all feasible combinations, a capital budgeting problem; and the economic return is determined for each combination, an operating policy problem.
In Chapter 4 an example problem is formulated, solved, and discussed.
The efficacy of the optimization algorithm is demonstrated by applying it
to the solution of a capital investment problem in a model river basin that
resembles a real river basin (the Maule River Basin in central Chile).
Chapter 5 briefly shows how to carry out a sensitivity analysis on a
water resources system to discover the critical parameters and inputs in
the model, parameters whose values in principle have to be obtained with
the greatest accuracy. Chapter 6 indicates how water quality can be
incorporated into the water quantity model. A FORTRAN listing of the
computer program to execute the optimization algorithm will be found in
Appendix A. For those not familiar with or who desire more information
about existing techniques in optimization, we provide references at appropriate places in this text to the introductory book by Beveridge and
Schechter, 'Optimization Theory and Practice/' McGraw-Hill, New York,
1970.
The approach and methodology developed in this monograph are in-
Preface
3. We do not know which are the most significant parameters in any
model in influencing the model outputs.
Nevertheless, by formulating models of river basins that mesh successfully
with the available optimization techniques, and by analyzing and improving
the models, these difficulties can be ameliorated.
In formulating the model of the river basin it is assumed that a number
of possible dam sites are available for the further regulation of imported
waters into the basin. The model has been limited to systems that have
(1) deterministic inputs, (2) a network configuration, (3) linear constraints,
and (4) capital investment and operating decisions made on a yearly and a
monthly basis, respectively, so that the operating policy and construction
policy could be optimized. The model of the system did not include (1)
stochastic effects or (2) intangible benefits and costs that could not be
quantified. Emphasis in the preparation of the model has been placed on the
diversity of applicability rather than a specific river basin.
After discussion of the criteria for and scope of the problem of expanding
an existing water resources system in Chapter 1, a water resources system
model is developed and explained in Chapter 2. In Chapter 3 an optimization strategy is developed to maximize, over the set of alternative projects,
the sum of the discounted present value of net earnings of the system
subject to the water demands and various institutional, physical, and
budgetary limits. The optimization problem is posed as a 0-1 mixed integer
programming problem that is decomposed into the set of all feasible combinations, a capital budgeting problem; and the economic return is determined for each combination, an operating policy problem.
In Chapter 4 an example problem is formulated, solved, and discussed.
The efficacy of the optimization algorithm is demonstrated by applying it
to the solution of a capital investment problem in a model river basin that
resembles a real river basin (the Maule River Basin in central Chile).
Chapter 5 briefly shows how to carry out a sensitivity analysis on a
water resources system to discover the critical parameters and inputs in
the model, parameters whose values in principle have to be obtained with
the greatest accuracy. Chapter 6 indicates how water quality can be
incorporated into the water quantity model. A FORTRAN listing of the
computer program to execute the optimization algorithm will be found in
Appendix A. For those not familiar with or who desire more information
about existing techniques in optimization, we provide references at appropriate places in this text to the introductory book by Beveridge and
Schechter, 'Optimization Theory and Practice/' McGraw-Hill, New York,
1970.
The approach and methodology developed in this monograph are in-