Abstract: This paper describes a multi-objective optimization model constructed for operation of parallel reservoirs to verify the capability of water diversion and power generation of the Hanjiang-to-Weihe water diversion project in dry years. It is solved with a non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II), and optimal schemes are obtained using a system of four-dimensional evaluation indexes and an approach of successive elimination of alternative schemes based on the order and degree of efficiency (SEABODE). The results show that during three typical dry years, only 1.36 billion cubic metres of water needs to be transferred in the low water year and water shortage will occur in three months. In an extraordinary dry year, 1.01 billion cubic metres of water on average can be transferred, and in this case water shortage will occur in 8 - 10 months with the maximum one month shortage of 74 million cubic metres. The results are useful for operation and decision making of the water diversion project in dry years.

Key words: multi-objective optimal operation, multi-attribute decision making, non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II, successive elimination of alternative schemes, Hanjiang-to-Weihe water diversion project