Application of Genetic Algorithm to Optimize Concrete Dam Penstock

With growth of technology and different industries dependent to electricity, construction of hydroelectric power plants for utilizing water stored in dam reservoirs is an important issue in different countries in the world. Increasing efficiency and performance of dams and hydroelectric power plants has been the most important object which has studied in recent years. Genetic algorithm is a useful optimization tool which has been considered by researchers in many fields. The goal of this study is to optimization the penstock dimensions using genetic algorithm. Penstock is a high pressure pipe that conveys water from dam reservoir or any high head water to power plant turbines. For this purpose, penstocks of Shahryar dam in Miyaneh and Shasta dam in U.S. have been investigated. With doing sensitivity analysis, a suitable structure is presented for genetic algorithm. The results indicated that genetic algorithm method has high capability in optimization and can reduce penstock volume considerably and acceptably.