Exploitation of Multi-Reservoir Systems Using the Bat Algorithm

Optimal management of water resources, especially in multi-reservoir systems, is of great importance due to limited water resources, climate change, increasing demand, and unbalanced distribution of resources. The efficient operation of these systems requires consideration of different and conflicting objectives while maintaining the safety and stability of the reservoirs. The complexity of this problem, especially in large systems with several interconnected reservoirs, necessitates the use of advanced multi-objective optimization methods. This study presents a bat-based multi-objective optimization model for the operation of multi-reservoir systems. The main objectives of the model include: 1) maximizing the supply of water needs in different sectors, 2) minimizing the costs associated with reservoir management, and 3) maintaining environmental balance through control of releases. Constraints such as reservoir capacity, operation rules, and inflow and outflow conditions are considered in the modeling process. The results obtained from the simulations show that the BAT Algorithm can provide a set of optimal solutions from which decision-makers can choose the most appropriate option according to their priorities. Also, a quantitative comparison of the results of the proposed multi-objective Algorithm (BAT) with the results of the NSGA_II Algorithm showed that the average C(BAT, NSGA-II) values ​​from 20 independent comparisons were 79.53%. Therefore, this approach not only increases the efficiency of multi-reservoir systems but also helps in effective decision-making in water resources management and improves the flexibility of the system in the face of variable and critical conditions. Since the objectives above are important in most multi-reservoir systems, the use of this model can be a great help for decision-makers in the exploitation of such systems.