Weed Optimization Algorithm for Optimal Reservoir Operation

This study introduces the weed optimization algorithm (WOA) to optimal reservoir operation. The WOA is a metaheuristic optimization method inspired by weeds' life cycle. The effectiveness of the WOA is demonstrated with the optimization of mathematical functions and reservoir systems. The WOA is applied in continuous-time and discrete-time formulations of reservoir-operation optimization and its results are compared with global optimal solutions obtained with nonlinear programming (NLP), linear programming (LP), and the genetic algorithm (GA). The results show the WOA's fast convergence to solutions that are very near the global optimal solutions of the reservoir optimization problems. (C) 2015 American Society of Civil Engineers.