OPTALS

Optimal control of reservoir systems under dynamic conditions in the context of global change (OPTALS)

Reservoir systems in Germany contribute significantly to the drinking water supply and perform competing tasks such as flood protection, low-flow augmentation and energy generation etc. In the wake of climate change and demographic and structural changes, ensuring the long-term security of water supplies poses considerable challenges. In particular, the predicted increase in extreme weather events such as low-water conditions and floods, but also the increasing frequency of consecutive dry years, require the optimisation of reservoir management. In Germany, reservoir systems have so far been controlled predominantly in a static manner, for example using lamella plans that prescribe a fixed water discharge for each month depending on the storage level. This mode of operation makes it difficult to flexibly adapt management practices to changing environmental conditions in terms of the water balance and water quality of the reservoir inflows.

Within the framework of the OPTALS project, innovative tools and management strategies are being developed that use predictions of reservoir inflow volume and quality to improve the management of reservoir systems and waterworks in Germany's low mountain ranges. The central focus here is on the use of short-, medium- and long-term forecasts for the flexible management and adaptation of reservoir systems to the changing conditions of global change in order to ensure the resilience of these supply systems, especially in times of water shortage and critical water quality.

The HydRiv department focuses on producing short- to long-term inflow forecasts. To this end, reservoir inflows are simulated using the Panta Rhei water balance model and based on various meteorological forecast horizons (ranging from hours to decades). As part of the project, it is also being examined how water availability could change in the future and with what degree of certainty statements can be made about inflow patterns depending on the forecast horizon. Based on the inflow forecasts and taking into account water quality forecasts, water demand forecasts and other operational constraints, flexible control strategies for the operation of the reservoir network are identified using multi-criteria optimisation methods. From this, recommendations for the optimised operation of the reservoirs and associated waterworks are derived.

Duration

April 2025 to März 2028