Optimal Operation of California Aqueduct

Abstract

The goals and objectives of operation of the California State Water Project (SWP) changed significantly on March 31, 1983, when long‐term, lowcost contractual agreements for energy purchase for the Project terminated. Now energy required for pumping must be purchased at a substantially increased cost. However, energy generated in the Project can be sold with maximum revenues at times of peak electrical demand. To determine the most efficient operation schedules for the SWP, a coordinated set of models was developed for execution in “real‐time.” This set of models includes network flow programming models, a number of other simulation models, and a large‐scale linear programming (LP) model designed to determine optimal flows throughout the California aqueduct system, given the energy demands for pumping, energy generation capabilities and water demands. This LP model may be executed with a weekly or daily time step. Solution of the LP problem is accomplished with the nonproprietary XMP package, using the dual‐simplex capability to accelerate solution.