An MHE-based MPC strategy for simultaneous energy generation maximization and water level management in inland waterways

This paper proposes a combined control and state estimation strategy for inland waterways, aiming at simultaneously attaining the optimal water level management and maximizing hydroelectricity generation. The latter can be realized by turbines installed in canal locks that harness the energy generated during lock filling and draining operations. These two objectives are of opposed nature, as maximization of energy generation can be achieved by maximizing the number of lock operations, which in turn leads to unbalanced water levels upstream and downstream of the lock. To address this issue, the multi-objective optimization problem is formulated. Then, model predictive control (MPC) and moving horizon estimation (MHE) are designed to maintain navigation conditions in the canals while maximizing energy production. Finally, the proposed strategy is applied to a realistic case study based on part of the inland waterways in the north of France.