Hydropower production schedule optimization using genetic algorithms

In our modern society optimizing water usage is a topic of upmost importance because of the multiple benefits it provides. The two most important ones are: drinking water and energy. Cascaded dams have been constructed all over the world to provide the surrounding area with a steady supply of both. The cascaded dams are controlled via a SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system. Genetic algorithms can be used to schedule the functioning of each hydro turbine in each power plant, after the final iteration we would have a solution that shows the optimal way to use the water. This can then be applied on the SCADA system and it would insure not just that the required grid energy was generated but also that the water levels in each dam are as close to the normal retention level as possible.