RTC-Tools 2.4, the new stable release of Deltares’ control software, was released on June 20th, 2020. Several improvements have been made since the previous version (RTC-Tools 2.3, released August 2019). Users can expect improved performance, additional goal programming features, and a large refactoring of input/output options, including support of NetCDF import/export.

RTC-Tools is Deltares’ open-source toolbox for control and optimization of environmental systems, with a unique focus on:

• Planning ahead using a system model

• Resolving conflicting constraints and optimization goals

• Robustness in the face of meteorological forecast uncertainty

RTC-Tools control applications include reservoir operations (incl. hydropower), flood control, water allocation, and strategic planning. A distinct advantage is that RTC-Tools can be tightly integrated with Delft-FEWS. Time series data, including ensemble forecasts, as well as parameter settings can be read from Delft-FEWS. General information about RTC-Tools and its applications can be found at https://www.deltares.nl/en/software/rtc-tools/.

Some selected release notes can be found below:

• run_optimization_problem: Allow passing arguments to problem class

• Allow passing model/input/output folder paths to run_optimization/simulation_problem.

• Debug check logging whether constraints are linear/quadratic/other

• Debug check for linear independence of constraints

• New mixin to minimize the absolute value of a function or variable (MinAbsGoalProgrammingMixin)

• New mixin to approximate high order penalties in a linear fashion (LinearizedGoalProgrammingMixin)

• Add convenience method for merging bounds

• Large IO refactoring (CSV, PI; optimization, simulation)

  • CSVMixin: Allow naming of input files (was already possible with PIMixin)

  • CSVMixin: Expose all parameters read from file

  • Add NetCDF import and export support

• Allow nominals for path and extra variables

• Simulation mode: Instead of NumPy arrays, results are now stored as lists. This is much faster.

For full information, see RTC-Tools GitLab release information and the history of the RTC-Tools GitLab repository. A new stable release means that the command “pip install rtc-tools” will now install RTC-Tools version 2.4 on your computer. It is also still possible to install a specific version of RTC-Tools. E.g. the command “pip install rtc-tools==2.3.3” installs version 2.3.3. New RTC-Tools enhancements/developments will be made available with a RTC-Tools 2.5 alpha tag.

For more information, or in case of question, please contact RTC-Tools Product Management at rtc-tools@deltares.nl