Heuristic-based Approach for Near-Optimal Response to Water Distribution Network Failures in Near Real-Time

This paper proposes a new method to identify near optimal response to failures in water distribution networks in near real-time. The response method is formulated as a two-objective optimisation problem with objectives being the minimisation of failure impacts and related operational costs. The new, heuristics based method is developed and used to solve this optimisation problem. The method is comprised of three steps. In the first step, the initial list of available interventions is identified offline. In the second step (online), the narrowed-down list of interventions considered in the optimisation is identified. Finally, in the last step (online), a novel heuristic algorithm is applied to identify near optimal solutions in near real-time. The new optimisation method was validated and demonstrated on two case studies, a semi-real case study based on C-Town network and an assumed failure event (pipe burst), and a real UK case study involving a complex real pipe network and event caused by shutting down the Water Treatment Works. The Pareto front of response interventions identified by the new heuristics method approximates well the NSGA II Pareto front in both cases with largest differences measured in terms of end-impacts (between relevant solutions for the same cost) being 4% and 9%, respectively. In addition, the new heuristics method is able to identify near optimal response solutions in a computationally fast manner (15 minutes and 1 hour for the two cases). Therefore, the heuristics method can be used in near real time in real-life situations.