A real-world benchmark problem for hydropower optimization with dynamic operational constraints

The related paper tests the ability of different reservoir operation models to represent a relatively simple water rationing policy through a multi-year simulation of the Upper Krishna River Basin in India. The tested policies involve reductions in water demand as a function of storage levels. The models that were tested include Mike Hydro Basin, the Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) model, HEC-ResSIM model, and the WEB.BM model. Two more simulation models were tested by their vendors, who subsequently declined joint participation in this publication. The models utilized single-timestep progression and assumed steady-state flows, implying an expectation of similar solutions among the models. The results show that Mike Hydro Basin and HEC-ResSIM fail to allocate water according to the prescribed rules. The paper provides a problem description and downloadable input and output data. Modelling practitioners can test the performance of their models by using the benchmark solution presented in this paper.

The spreadsheet contains the input data and several model solutions for the test problem outlined in this paper.  The purpose of the test is to enable water resources simulation model vendors and users to test the performance of various models.  Also, the database contains an additional document with accompanying information provided by Dr. Becker.