A streamlined energy efficiency performance indicator for water distribution systems: a case study

Abstract

This note investigates the validity of the energy efficiency performance indicator developed by Snider and Filion for water distribution systems. This performance indicator estimates the minimum mechanical energy required in a distribution system by assessing the unavoidable energy losses due to friction, leakage, and user demand. The performance indicator provides a simplified method to calculate the energy efficiency of a water distribution system without the application of a hydraulic simulation model. To validate the proposed streamlined approach, this note calculates the energy indicator using a hydraulic model and extended period simulation for a number of synthetic and real water distribution system models. A Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.958 for the overall mechanical energy efficiency indicator was calculated between the two approaches (streamlined and extended period simulation). This suggests the simpler streamlined approach may be used instead of the more complicated extended period sim...