Energy Recovery and Leakage-Reduction Optimization of Water Distribution Systems Using Hydro Turbines
Publication: Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Volume 146, Issue 5
Abstract
Potential for energy recovery exists at any point within a water distribution system where the mechanical energy of excess water pressure can be converted into electrical energy. Energy conversion decreases the average operating pressure within a system, which in turn reduces water losses from leakages in the system due to the proportionality of leakage and pressure. This paper explores the incorporation of a genetic algorithm (GA) in a procedure to optimize the location and size of energy-recovery turbines (ERT) within a water distribution system based on maximizing recovered energy and reduced water losses evaluated on an economic basis and assigned a differentiated weighted importance. The developed procedure was tested on a well-known pressure management benchmark network as well as a water network from previous studies. Where previous studies on the benchmark network were only focused on pressure management, the current procedure produced results on pressure management with the added benefit of an analysis on both energy recovery and leakage reduction. The procedure provides municipal and water utility managers with a better-informed basis for pressure management and energy-recovery decision making.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code used during the study were provided by a third party. Specific data supplied by a third party relates to the geometrical and hydraulic characteristics of the City of Polokwane Local Municipality water distribution network. Direct requests for these materials may be made to the provider as indicated in the Acknowledgments, or requests can be directed through the author.
Some or all data, models, or code generated or used during the study are proprietary or confidential in nature and may only be provided with restrictions. The following data and code can be provided with restrictions:
•
VBA code of the PERRL procedure.
This study forms part of a postgraduate study, and as such the VBA code for the PERRL procedure is subject to the Intellectual Property (IP) Policy of the tertiary institution and can only be provided with the necessary restrictions as contained within the policy.
All other data and assumptions used within the study appears in the submitted article.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to acknowledge the Polokwane Local Municipality for their assistance and cooperation as well as their commitment in striving to achieve more sustainable and socially responsible cities and communities.
Disclaimer
The output of the research conducted in this article is generated from developed hydraulic models of the City of Polokwane’s Water Supply Infrastructure. These models incorporate assumptions informed by demand modeling and have not been calibrated to any specific time, date, or scenario of measured data from the City of Polokwane’s Water Supply Networks. This research does not reflect or constitute the views of the Polokwane LM or any individuals affiliated with the Polokwane LM.
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Published In
Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Volume 146 • Issue 5 • May 2020
Copyright
©2020 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jul 12, 2019
Accepted: Dec 4, 2019
Published online: Mar 12, 2020
Published in print: May 1, 2020
Discussion open until: Aug 12, 2020
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