PaT-ID: A tool for the selection of the optimal pump as turbine for a water distribution network

Abstract

In a historical context where renewable energy is increasingly being adopted, the installation of Pumps as Turbines (PaTs) in Water Distribution Networks (WDNs) is gaining relevance in the scientific community. The selection of a PaT to be installed in a WDN is complex, requiring a trade-off between technical and economic aspects. This paper presents a methodology for guiding the selection of a PaT based on the characteristics of the WDN, predicting its characteristic curves, and estimating the daily power generation. The proposed algorithm has been automated in a computer tool called PaT-ID. The innovative aspects of this tool concern its general applicability to any WDN and machine catalogue. It automatically selects the most useful machine considering the input water demand trend and the hydraulic head available for the PaT. In addition, the tool decides on series or parallel layouts if necessary. Finally, in the absence of hydraulic input data, PaT-ID provides a first-level analysis to define the potential of the site for energy production, simulating the flow rate data. The code has been validated with two case studies analysed in previous works.