Small-Scale Hydropower Generation in Water Distribution Networks by Using Pumps as Turbines

Francesco Pugliese,Maurizio Giugni,Francesco De Paola,Nicola Fontana,Gustavo Marini

doi:10.3390/proceedings2231486

Francesco Pugliese, Maurizio Giugni + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2231486

Copy DOI

Publication Date: Oct 31, 2018
Citations: 1	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Naples Federico II, University of Sannio

Abstract

In this work, a procedure for the optimal design of Pumps As Turbines in Water Distribution Networks was applied, aimed at both maximizing the hydropower generation and exploiting the excess pressure. The design of the main characteristic PAT parameters, namely the flow rate and the head drop at Best Efficiency Point, the rotational speed and the impeller’s diameter was assessed, under the hypothesis of applying the Electrical Regulation. The procedure allowed to estimate both the produced power and the exploited head at any simulated time-step, as well as the overall daily energy, in compliance with the hydraulic and technical constraints of the system. The model was tested on a simplified Water Distribution Network and a preliminary Cost-Benefit analysis was performed, showing interesting reliefs against short Payback Period.

Highlights

The use of Pumps As Turbines (PATs) in Water Distribution Networks (WDNs) is a viable approach to both generate small-scale hydropower energy and exploit the excess pressure
Due to the limited information about the PAT performances provided by manufactures, several theoretical [1], experimental [2,3,4] and numerical [5,6] models were proposed to assess the PAT characteristic curves at different operations
The selection procedure of centrifugal PATs in WDNs proposed by Pugliese et al [9] allows to design the flow rate and the head drop at Best Efficiency Point (BEP) in turbine mode Qtb and Htb, the impeller’ diameter D and the rotational speed N, under the hypothesis of arranging the Electrical Regulation (ER) so as to vary the PAT rotational speed N at any operation in the range [Nmin; Nmax], in compliance with the technical and hydraulic constraints of the system

Summary

Introduction

The use of Pumps As Turbines (PATs) in Water Distribution Networks (WDNs) is a viable approach to both generate small-scale hydropower energy and exploit the excess pressure. They represent an alternative to micro-turbines, providing interesting efficiencies and significant working conditions, at the expense of lower investment and maintenance costs. Due to the limited information about the PAT performances provided by manufactures, several theoretical [1], experimental [2,3,4] and numerical [5,6] models were proposed to assess the PAT characteristic curves at different operations. Many models require either huge computational efforts or trial-and-error or iterative procedures, sometimes reliable only if detailed information about the PAT geometry are available

Methods

Results

Conclusion