Planning water resources systems with interval stochastic dynamic programming

This study addresses water resources system planning problems with capacity expansion in an uncertain environment. An interval stochastic dynamic programming (SDP) model is presented, which is a hybrid of interval-number optimization and SDP. Besides the dynamic features of the model, it can incorporate and reflect uncertainties expressed as probability distribution functions and discrete intervals. The solution method for the proposed model is computationally effective, which makes it applicable to practical problems. The results acquired through a case study indicate that reasonable solutions have been obtained. They are further analyzed and interpreted for identifying significant factors that affect the system's performance. The information obtained through these post-optimality analyses can provide useful decision support for water authorities. Copyright Springer Science + Business Media B.V. 2007