Page - 411 - in Book of Full Papers - Symposium Hydro Engineering

In contrast, reservoir operation e.g. in Germany is very sophisticated, involving detailed release strategies, risk management, coordinated operating rules for reservoir systems, the use of real-time models to support operation and even the use of scenario simulations to account for climate change and other uncertainties. 2. CURRENT SITUATION In technologically highly advanced countries such as e.g. Germany it is considered state of the art to model the long-term operation of reservoirs using simulation models, to adjust operation rules to changing boundary conditions on the medium term by looking at scenarios and to react proactively to current events in the short-term. The practical aspect of reservoir operation is supported by the use of simulation software in which current environmental conditions such as water levels, discharge, precipitation and temperature are recorded and visualized. The necessary operational settings are made based on these observations and the operating rules. In the case of multipurpose reservoirs (e.g. hydropower, flood protection, water supply), the use of simulation tools makes it possible to develop operating rules that are optimized towards catering to all purposes as much as possible and at the same time contain solutions and approaches for dealing with conflict situations. Simulation tools also allow for risk management, coordinated operation and emergency plans to be incorporated into the operating rules. In other regions such as Africa and South-East Asia, operating reservoirs based on complex operating rules and with the support of simulation tools is the exception. In most cases, operating rules either do not exist or are very simplified [1], [2], [6], [7], [8], [9]. In Ethiopia and Sudan, long and medium term operation is carried out using Excel worksheets [1]. Thus, the complexity of the local conditions, of cause-effect relationships and of target conflicts is hardly considered, if at all. Often, minimum releases for securing downstream ecosystems are not considered as an independent purpose of a reservoir [1], [10], [11], [12]. In Thailand, all reservoirs of the Royal Irrigation Department are operated using a so-called standard rule curve. This rule curve is derived in a simplified manner from precipitation data and reservoir size and provides the desired water level over the course of the year. Usually, this rule curve is not verified for site-specific suitability [2], [3], [8]. In Myanmar, there are currently no guidelines for the operation of reservoirs. Each reservoir operator decides for themselves for example how much residual flow is granted to the downstream water course [4]. In Swaziland, there are reservoirs that do not have rules, monitoring nor qualified personnel [5]. In general, there is a lack of awareness among reservoir operators about the problems that lacking know-how can cause for reservoir operation. In summary, the following problems can be identified:  Insufficient data 411