Optimal Operation of Hydropower Energy of Reservoirs Using Moth Swarm Algorithm (Case Study: Karun-4 Dam)

Hydropower energy is the third largest source of electricity generation and also the most important renewable energy producer in the world. For this reason, the optimal use of this huge and expensive source is essential. In this study, Moth Swarm Metaheuristic Algorithm (MSA) was used for optimization of the hydropower operation of Karun-4 reservoir located in Karun basin for a period of 106 months (from October 2010 to July 2019). After verifying the reliability of the MSA algorithm using several standard benchmark functions, a model was developed for optimal hydropower operation of the Karun-4 reservoir. Also, the results of the algorithm were compared with the results of known metaheuristic algorithms of the Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). The MSA, GA and PSO algorithms were capable to generate energy 105853, 105697.4, and 105841.6 MW, respectively, compared with the actual value 64987.54 MW, during the statistical period. Also, the objective function value for MSA, GA and PSO algorithms, was obtained 0.147, 0.3026, and 0.1584, respectively. The results revealed that the MSA algorithm was the superior algorithm in optimal hydropower operation.