Flexibility of energy and water management in pressurized irrigation systems using dynamic modeling of pump operation

Abstract

Variable water demands in growing season, spatial altitude difference in hydrant points, incompatibility in irrigation time, crop pattern alternation and the other environmental factors are among the most important dynamic factors affecting the operation of pumping stations in an irrigation system. Pumping stations could be effectively operated using a dynamic or time-dependent approach. In this study, the performance of an agricultural pumping station, which will be equipped with variable speed pumps, was analyzed. The station is located in an agricultural area in Qazvin Province, northern Iran. The dynamic model of the pumping station was developed for simulating five defined operation scenarios. The results showed that using variable speed pumps is capable of reducing energy consumption up to 67 %, in comparison with current constant speed modes. The ratio of energy consumption for pumped water was determined equal to 0.37 kwh/m3 in variable speed mode, implying up to 45% reduction in comparison with use constant speed pumps.