Reservoir systems are essential for flood protection, the supply of water, hydropower generation and ecological functions. Today, operating rules face increasing pressure from shifting water demands, ecological expectations, demographic developments, land-use changes and evolving regional priorities.
My research examines how reservoir operation can become more flexible, adaptive and future-oriented to meet environmental, social and cross-border demands in the Rur catchment.
Research topic explained
My research goal is to evaluate the performance of the current operating rules of the Rur reservoir system and therefore developing adaptive, model-based strategies.
Through the use of numerical modelling, AI-supported optimisation and stakeholder engagement, my goal is to establish an integrated framework that promotes sustainable and climate-resilient water management across institutional and national boundaries.
My current work involves establishing a hydrological model as well as refining the existing hydrological model for the Rur reservoir system, including data preparation, parameterization, and representing key operational processes. Furthermore, future scenarios will be created, focusing on climate developments, land use changes as well as changing water demand and extreme weather events to analyses the systems behavior under evolving conditions.
