Simulation and multi-objective optimization of integrated surface and groundwater based on the Clean Development Mechanism and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions

The water-oriented development of countries calls for the enforcement of the regulations on the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) through integrated water resources management (IWRM). The simulation of the most important drainage basin in the Middle East, which consists of six reservoir dams with a cumulative PV capacity of over 10500MW, was the goal of this study. The simulations of the groundwater and surface water resources were carried out separately by using the MODFLOW and WEAP models and coupling these models with a link file. The multi-objective function optimization process, which involved the maximization of the supply of hydropower and demand and minimization of aquifer drawdown, was carried out using the NSGA-II genetic algorithm. Afterward, all the system and policy components influencing the integrated water resources system were assessed. These components included inter-basin water transfer, combined use of water resources, variation of irrigation network efficiencies, and the effect of water shortage, According to the model results, the inter-basin water transfer with a scenario of 1.5 billion cubic meters increase will reduce about 10% of the average annual production of hydropower in the basin. Finally, the model showed the best scenario for attaining the CDM objectives.