Proceedings of the International Association of Hydrological Sciences (Apr 2024)
Development of model predictive controls for flood control and power generation of reservoir cascade in Mahaweli basin, Sri Lanka to mitigate energy and economic crisis provoked by the COVID-19 pandemic
Abstract
Mahaweli basin is the largest river basin in Sri Lanka which receives high-intensity rainfall reasoned to frequent flooding. Mahaweli River passes through Victoria, Randenigala and Rantambe reservoirs which cater for drinking, irrigation, hydropower, and environmental water requirements. These reservoirs contribute to 63 % of the hydropower production of the country. The development of flood control methods for this cascade will mitigate flash floods and lower the risk of reservoir spill during peak hours. Therefore, a system dynamic model is developed using VENSIM software to analyse the complex correlation between flood storage and power flow considering short-term weather prediction. Model predictive controls are applied to analyse the system to enhance power generation through storage optimization. This brings direct economic benefits and be a sustainable solution for the energy crisis provoked by the economic loss that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.