Many rivers in Europe are controlled in such a manner that a fixed water level is maintained. This is often checked by a PID controller. We know, that there are effects of self-amplification. The model predictive control incoporates a forecast and allows anticipation. Hence, aim of this thesis is to analyse, if there is an added value of model predictive control with respect to PID. If yes, can the peaks be flattened for the sake of a better environmental flow and can hydropoeaking be improved? In that respect, it is a challenge to account for the correct hydraulics (Saint-Venant equations). Possible software is SOBEK (open channel hydraulics) and RTC-Tools (optimization, has Saint-Venant equations included, with homotopy method). The supervision will be in close coopertion with DELTARES in the Netherlands.
Figure: Weir in Grosswallstadt, Germany