Rolling predictive control of tandem multi-canal pools based on water level elasticity intervals: A case study of the South-North water diversion middle route project

The Middle Route of the South-North Water Transfer Project (SNWDMRP) is a major water transfer project to optimize the spatial allocation of water resources in China. It is difficult for traditional flow adjustment to ensure the safe operation of open-channel water transfer projects. In this study, the Long Short Term Memory (LSTM) water level prediction model is combined with the elastic interval water level control method to achieve rolling prediction control of the water level in front of the gates of a single pool, and then the model is coupled with storage compensation algorithm for prediction control of the water level of the gate group of tandem multi-canal pools. The method is applied to the SNWDMRP, and the results show that the new method is stable within the restricted water level for both single and multiple canal pools. Moreover, the control algorithm proposed in this study can make full use of the storage capacity to satisfy the need of multiple scheduling scenarios [Display omitted] •A new automated control model for water transfer projects.•Reducing the complexity of solving control models and stabilizing water levels.•Utilizing the storage capacity of drains and ponds.•Satisfy different scheduling requirements in multiple scheduling scenarios.