Optimal Regulation of Pumping Station in Water Distribution Networks Using Constant and Variable Speed Pumps: A Technical and Economical Comparison

Luigi Cimorelli, Carmine Covelli, Bruno Molino and Domenico Pianese
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Luigi Cimorelli: Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, Federico II University, 80125 Naples, Italy
Carmine Covelli: Department of Biotechnology and Territory, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
Bruno Molino: Department of Biotechnology and Territory, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
Domenico Pianese: Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, Federico II University, 80125 Naples, Italy

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 10, 1-15

Abstract: Greenhouse gas emission is one of the main environmental issues of today, and energy savings in all industries contribute to reducing energy demand, implying, in turn, less carbon emissions into the atmosphere. In this framework, water pumping systems are one of the most energy-consuming activities. The optimal regulation of pumping systems with the use of variable speed drives is gaining the attention of designers and managing authorities. However, optimal management and operation of pumping systems is often performed, employing variable speed drives without considering if the energy savings are enough to justify their purchasing and installation costs. In this paper, the authors compare two optimal pump scheduling techniques, optimal regulation of constant speed pumps by an optimal ON/OFF sequence and optimal regulation with a variable speed pump. Much of the attention is devoted to the analysis of the costs involved in a hypothetical managing authority for the water distribution system in order to determine whether the savings in operating costs is enough to justify the employment of variable speed drives.

Keywords: optimal scheduling; pumping station; water distribution network; variable speed pump; energy saving (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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