Developing a Non-Discrete Dynamic Game Model and Corresponding Monthly Collocation Solution Considering Variability in Reservoir Inflow

Water Resources Management volume 29, pages2599–2618(2015)Cite this article

Abstract

So far a huge number of dynamic game models, both discrete and continuous, have been developed for reservoir operation. Most of them seek to overcome potential conflicts while allocating limited water among various users in reservoir systems. A number of them have successfully provided efficient approaches to tackle the problem of optimal water allocation. There are, however, still weaknesses in determining optimal policies. By taking account of the random nature of the inflow while producing monthly operating policies for a reservoir in a dynamic non-discrete framework, many of these deficiencies can be eliminated. In this study, considering the randomness in reservoir inflow, a continuous dynamic game model for water allocation in a reservoir system was developed. A corresponding monthly-basis solution based on collocation was then structured. This collocation method does not rely on first and second degree approximations. Instead, in order to evaluate the uncertainty triggered by the random variable, a discrete approximant was applied to quantify the random variable in the state transition function. A case study was carried out at the Zayandeh-Rud river basin in central Iran to identify the efficiency of the proposed method and evaluate the effect of uncertainty on decision variables. The results of the presented model (i.e., monthly-basis operating rules and value functions) proved to be more practical and reliable than similar continuous dynamic game models working on an annual basis. Moreover, the results show that bringing the stochasticity associated with inflow into the equation has an impact on the value functions and operating polices. Indeed, applying the mean of the random variable of inflow (deterministic form) reduce consistancy in monthly reliability indices throughout the year.

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Acknowledgments

The authors express the gratitude to Dr. Kaveh Madani at the Centre for Environmental Policy at the Imperial College London for his valuable comments and helpful discussions. Authors thank the Editor and anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments. The first author is grateful to the Government of Malaysia and the University of Malaya (UM) for financial support of the first author through the Bright Spark Fellowship Scheme. The first author also would like to thanks the Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya for facilitating this study.

Conflict of interest

This statement is to certify that all Authors have seen and approved the manuscript being submitted. We warrant that the article is the Authors’ original work. We warrant that the article has not received prior publication and is not under consideration for publication elsewhere.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Building, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Mehran Homayounfar, Sai Hin Lai & Mehdi Zommorodian

  2. Institute of Mathematical Science, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, KL, Malaysia

    Amin Oroji

  3. Département des Sciences de la Terre et de l’Atmosphère, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada

    Arman Ganji

  4. Combat Desertification Department, College of Natural Resources, Hormozgan University, Bandar abbas, Iran

    Sara Kaviani

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  1. Mehran Homayounfar
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  2. Sai Hin Lai
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  3. Mehdi Zommorodian
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  4. Amin Oroji
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  5. Arman Ganji
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  6. Sara Kaviani
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Correspondence to Sai Hin Lai.

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Homayounfar, M., Lai, S.H., Zommorodian, M. et al. Developing a Non-Discrete Dynamic Game Model and Corresponding Monthly Collocation Solution Considering Variability in Reservoir Inflow. Water Resour Manage 29, 2599–2618 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11269-015-0959-1

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Keywords

  • Monthly collocation
  • Conflict resolution
  • Reservoir operation
  • Dynamic continous game