Nonlinear Model Predictive Control for Irrigation Canals: A Case Study in the Ebro Delta
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17979/ja-cea.2026.47.13748Keywords:
Modeling and identification of environmental systems, Optimal control and operation of water resources systems, Natural resources managementAbstract
The left irrigation canal of the Ebro Delta is a complex water management system characterized by high demand variability and limited automation, making it an illustrative case study for evaluating the potential of advanced control strategies in real infrastructure. This paper presents the design and implementation of a nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC) strategy on three representative reaches of the canal, built from real system data, and compares it against the currently deployed rule-based control and a PI controller. Results show that NMPC reduces both maximum error and total gate movement in both evaluated scenarios, with a particular advantage under heavy rainfall episodes due to its
predictive capability, thus validating the use of complex but
suitable strategies for this type of system.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Alberto Kolton, Joaquim Blesa, Carlos Ocampo-Martinez
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