Mathematical Modelling of Water Resource Allocation Strategies (07w2003)
Collins Ayoo (University of Calgary - Economics)
Ted Horbulyk (University of Calgary - Economics)
Marian Weber (Alberta Research Council)
The aim of this workshop is to review and advance the mathematical programming techniques actively being used to model water resource management and policy reform. The workshop seeks to consider ways of improving both specific techniques and the larger modelling programs and processes in which they are integrated. Although the South Saskatchewan River Basin will be the specific application of these methods and approaches, the topics, approaches and methods will generalize to other jurisdictions.
Some of the specific issues that will be considered at the workshop include:
1) strengths and weaknesses of various modelling approaches, including single-period versus multi-period or dynamic models, and deterministic versus stochastic approaches;
2) modelling strategies (e.g., iterative versus modular structures);
3) the formulation of nonlinear objective functions to reflect social versus private financial outcomes, or other multiple attribute objectives;
4) model calibration;
5) data requirements, definitions and sources;
6) solvers and software;
7) verification and validation processes; and
8) simulation and sensitivity analysis.
Before the workshop, each of the five to seven modelling groups that agree to attend will prepare and circulate (for all participants) materials that identify commonalities and differences in each group's previous and ongoing work. Invited experts from California will describe the process by which independent water modelling teams in that state have agreed on specific kinds of approaches and protocols (definitions, data, validation) that allow independence of individual research projects, yet which capture opportunities for collaboration and early dissemination of new results.