Optimal Pumping Scheduling for Complex Irrigation Water Distribution Systems

Abstract

AbstractThe establishment of an optimal pumping schedule is a cost-free, efficient measure that is easily adopted to reduce energy costs. This paper proposes an optimal pumping scheduling model for complex irrigation water distribution systems (WDS) for the case in which head and efficiency are independent of flow rate. The proposed model utilizes a simplified pumping scheme and a determinist linear programming (LP) optimization algorithm. A robust and versatile software application was also developed that is useful for WDS managers in adopting optimal pumping scheduling decisions for a specific electricity tariff structure and to satisfy all system performance constraints. The model also provides the option of testing and comparing different alternative electricity tariffs and allows managers to select the most cost-effective tariff for their system. The model is applied to a real WDS located in the province of Almeria in southeastern Spain. The optimal pumping scheduling during an entire year is obtaine...