Optimal water supply system management by leakage reduction and energy recovery

Abstract

In WDS characterized by significant variation in elevation, the necessity of pumping water to higher levels is conflicted by a requirement to reduce excess pressure. A multi-objective optimization methodology is presented to minimize leakage and to minimize the difference between operational pumping costs and income generated through energy recovery by strategically locating in the network Pumps operating As Turbines (PATs), which can act in an analogous fashion to conventional PRVs. The approach is demonstrated on a case study resulting in a clear economic benefit from installing PATs for energy recovery in conjunction with a combined pump-scheduling and pressure management regime.