Optimization of Energy Generation based on Operations and Ecological Integrity Requirements

The management of water resources for different purposes such as a domestic water supply and municipal, irrigation and hydropower generation requires optimization techniques for efficient reservoir operations. This study focused on the optimization of energy generation at Kainji hydropower station in Nigeria using operational and ecological integrity constraints. A linear optimization technique was used in optimizing the average total annual energy generation subject to operational and ecological integrity constraints. The model was solved using LINGO 17.0 software. The results revealed that the optimization approach would increase the total annual energy generation at the hydropower station by 1.84%. The outcome of this study can be adopted by the management of a hydropower station and other decision makers in Nigeria to improve the availability of electricity deployed to Nigeria’s national grid without compromising the ecological integrity of a reservoir.