Abstract
This paper proposes the bi-objective optimization for the installation of pumps operating as turbines (PATs) in systems of transmission mains, which typically operate at steady flow conditions to cater to tanks in the service of water distribution networks. The methodology aims to find optimal solutions in the trade-off between installation costs and generated hydropower, which are to be minimized and maximized, respectively. While the bi-objective optimization is carried out by means of a genetic algorithm, an inner optimization sub-algorithm provides for the regulation of PAT settings. The applications concerned a real Italian case study, made up of nine systems of transmission mains. The methodology proved able to thoroughly explore the trade-off between the two objective functions, offering solutions able to recover hydropower up to 83 KW. In each system considered, the optimal solutions obtained were postprocessed in terms of long-life net profit. Due to the large geodesic elevation variations available in the case study, this analysis showed that, in all systems, the optimal solution with the highest value of generated hydropower was the most profitable under usual economic scenarios, with payback periods always lower than 3 years.
Highlights
The contribution of the water industry is not negligible in the total demand of energy in the world [1]
The bi-objective genetic optimization was proposed for tackling the problem of optimal installation of pumps as turbines (PATs) in existing systems of transmission mains
The proposed methodology is able to search for optimal locations and speed settings of PATs in each system in the trade-off between the total installation cost and the produced hydropower, to be minimized and maximized, respectively
Summary
The contribution of the water industry is not negligible in the total demand of energy in the world [1]. Within this contribution, a major role is played by the extraction and treatment of source water [1], mainly due to the operation of pumping stations. A major role is played by the extraction and treatment of source water [1], mainly due to the operation of pumping stations To reduce this component of energy demand, water utilities are more and more often implementing practices to reduce wastes of water in distribution networks [2]. Energy recover can be accomplished by installing devices such as hydro-turbines [3,4,5,6,7] or pumps operating in reverse mode, called pumps as turbines (PATs) [8,9,10,11,12], within pressurized pipes.
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