Minimum Energy Requirements of Pipeline Pumping

This paper establishes the minimum amount of energy required by a simple system, a benchmark established on the basis of current technology and the requirements by energy regulators, weighting costs, and efficiency. The first step is to normalize the energy intensity (${\mathrm{kWh}/\mathrm{m}}^3$), which is the quotient between the energy consumed and the volume pumped, with the geometric gradient. The new normalized parameter is more objective than the commonly standardized one with the pumping head due to its dependence on friction. In addition, it makes it possible to naturally disaggregate energy needs (in useful and dissipated energy during transport) to establish a target energy intensity and evaluate existing savings. The quotient between energy intensities (actual and target) allows qualifying transport efficiency. At the same time, it permits extending the policy of energy labeling to pressurized water transport, which has been proven to be a successful energy efficiency strategy.

The concepts described in this paper establish the minimum amount of energy required by a single system. A simple system is defined as a drive with a single input point and a single output point. The establishment of the minimum amount of energy required allows a reference point to be established, and with this, a possible margin for improvement. These indicators, defined in a simple way and requiring little data, can be of great help to know the current state of simple systems and compare them with the best version of these, as well as with an intermediate state improved on the basis of current technology and the requirements of energy regulators, weighing both costs and efficiency.