Evolutionary Optimisation Algorithms in Water Resources: current status, research challenges and future directions

MSSANZ Occasional Seminar Series

When: Wednesday, 19 November 2014,4.00p – 5.15p
Where: The University of Adelaide North Terrace campus, Engineering South Building, Room S112

Title

Evolutionary Optimisation Algorithms in Water Resources: current status, research challenges and future directions

Holger Maier, Graeme Dandy, Aaron Zecchin, Matt Gibbs, Angela Marchi School of Civil, Environmental and Mining Engineering, The University of Adelaide

Abstract

The development and application of evolutionary algorithms (EAs) and other metaheuristics for the optimisation of water resources systems has been an active research field for over two decades. Research to date has emphasized algorithmic improvements and individual applications in specific areas (e.g. model calibration, water distribution systems, groundwater management, river-basin planning and management etc.). However, there has been limited synthesis between shared problem traits, common EA challenges, and advances across major applications – which we argue is needed to advance this research field to the point where the undoubted potential of these powerful optimisation methods can be realised in practice.

This presentation provides

• an overview of what optimisation is


• why optimisation is needed to solve the complex water resources problems we face today


• why EAs have become the preferred optimisation approach


• the current status of the application of EAs in water resources


• the research challenges to be addressed to move this research field forward


• our vision of what the future of EAs in water resources might hold

This presentation is based on the recent Environmental Modelling and Software position paper by Maier HR et al (2014) Evolutionary algorithms and other metaheuristics in water resources: Current status, research challenges and future directions, Environmental Modelling and Software, 62, 271-299, DOI: 10.1016/j.envsoft.2014.09.013.

Format

The seminar will be run as a presentation, followed by a Q&A panel session, to be chaired by Drs Rebecca Doble and Luk Peeters, CSIRO Land and Water Flagship, Adelaide.

Queries

Susan Cuddy, MSSANZ OSS convenor, susan.cuddy@csiro.au, (02) 6246 5705, Rebecca Doble, rebecca.doble@csiro.au or Holger Maier, holger.maier@adelaide.edu.au.