Pump and Valve Scheduling for Improved Leakage and Energy Management

Abstract

This paper presents the development and application of a new methodology for leakage reduction via integrated energy and pressure management in Water Distribution Systems (WDS) with the aim of saving both water and energy. This new methodology approaches the management problem by means of a single, integrated multi-objective optimization task, rather than two separate problems (as is currently done) by considering the simultaneous use of flow/time modulated and/or fixed-setting pressure reducing valves (PRV)/throttle valves on one hand and improved pump and source water scheduling on the other. The optimization seeks to minimize the total costs of network operation and minimizing leakage whilst ensuring that minimum network performance constraints continue to be met. Constituent costs that can be considered include those of energy consumption in pumping and pump and valve actuation costs. The minimization of valve and pump state changes can also be specified as a secondary objective with a view to an associated reduction in maintenance costs This new methodology has been implemented as a stand-alone software application, the Pump and Valve Logic Optimal Scheduling (PaVLOS) software, which employs a pressure-driven WDS hydraulic model. The methodology is demonstrated on a real-life case study of Langhirano WDS in Reggio Emilia, Italy