Optimal Operation of Pressurized Irrigation Networks with Several Supply Sources

The evolution of water distribution systems to pressurized networks has improved water use efficiency, but also significantly increased energy consumption. However, sustainable irrigated agriculture must be characterized by the reasonable and efficient use of both water and energy. Irrigation sectoring where farmers are organized in turns is one of the most effective measures to reduce energy use in irrigation water distribution networks. Previous methodologies developed for branched irrigation networks with one single source node have resulted in considerable energy savings. However, these methodologies were not suitable for networks with several water supply points. In this work, we develop an optimization methodology (WEBSOM) aimed at minimizing energy consumption and based on operational sectoring for networks with several source nodes. Using the NSGA-II multi-objective genetic algorithm, the optimal sectoring operation calendar that minimizes both energy consumption and pressure deficit is obtained. This methodology is tested in the irrigation district of Palos de la Frontera (Huelva, Spain) with three pumping stations, showing that potential annual energy savings of between 20 % and 29 % can be achieved, thus ensuring full pressure requirements in nearly all hydrants, along with the total satisfaction of irrigation requirements.     

Detecting Critical Points in On-Demand Irrigation Pressurized Networks – A New Methodology

In many pressurized irrigation water distribution networks, rising energy costs are having a significant impact on system performance, environmental impact and the profitability of agribusinesses and farms dependant on water supplies for irrigated production. In this study, a new methodology is proposed for analysing the location of critical control points (hydrants) to reduce energy consumption. The methodology is developed and applied using two irrigation districts located in Southern Spain (Fuente Palmera and El Villar). The new approaches provide a framework for comparing different energy saving strategies, including improved critical point management and network sectoring. The results show that potential energy savings of around 10% and 30% are possible in each district when the theoretical irrigation requirements are modeled. However these savings reduce to 5% and 12% when the local farmers’ practices of deficit irrigation are incorporated. These results are compared to those obtained for networks sectoring in the same irrigation networks in a previous work. The study confirms that that a sectoring approach works best for reducing the energy costs associated with meeting actual irrigation water demands in irrigation districts where energy consumption is a limiting factor on production.     

Incorporating the Irrigation Demand Simultaneity in the Optimal Operation of Pressurized Networks with Several Water Supply Points

Network sectoring is one of the most effective measures to reduce energy consumption in pressurized irrigation networks. In this work, the previous model focused on the irrigation networks sectoring with several supply points (WEBSOM), which considered the simultaneous operation of all hydrants, has been improved by integrating an analysis of multiple random demand patterns and their effects on variability in hydrant pressure (extended WEBSOM). The extended WEBSOM has implied a multiobjective optimization, followed by a Montecarlo procedure to analyze different flow regimes using quality of service indicators, a novelty for multi-source pressurized irrigation networks. This innovation has involved energy savings ranging from 9 to 15 % with respect to the consideration of the concurrent operation of all hydrants, which rarely occurs in on-farm irrigation systems. These energy savings were associated with maximum values of pressure deficit of 21 and 34 % in the most critical hydrant with a deficit frequency of 27 and 36 % in the peak month. However, smaller and less frequent deficits were achieved in the rest of the months. Thus, substantial energy savings can be obtained in irrigation districts without significant losses in the service quality provided to farmers.     

Optimization of Irrigation Scheduling Using Soil Water Balance and Genetic Algorithms

In arid and semi-arid countries, the use of irrigation is essential to ensure agricultural production. Irrigation water use is expected to increase in the near future due to several factors such as the growing demand of food and biofuel under a probable climate change scenario. For this reason, the improvement of irrigation water use efficiency has been one of the main drivers of the upgrading process of irrigation systems in countries like Spain, where irrigation water use is around 70 % of its total water use. Pressurized networks have replaced the obsolete open-channel distribution systems and on farm irrigation systems have been also upgraded incorporating more efficient water emitters like drippers or sprinklers. Although pressurized networks have significant energy requirements, increasing operational costs. In these circumstances farmers may be unable to afford such expense if their production is devoted to low-value crops. Thus, in this work, a new approach of sustainable management of pressurized irrigation networks has been developed using multiobjective genetic algorithms. The model establishes the optimal sectoring operation during the irrigation season that maximize farmer’s profit and minimize energy cost at the pumping station whilst satisfying water demand of crops at hydrant level taking into account the soil water balance at farm scale. This methodology has been applied to a real irrigation network in Southern Spain. The results show that it is possible to reduce energy cost and improve water use efficiency simultaneously by a comprehensive irrigation management leading, in the studied case, to energy cost savings close to 15 % without significant reduction of crop yield.     

Optimal Design of Pressurized Irrigation Networks to Minimize the Operational Cost under Different Management Scenarios

The adoption of measures leading to higher efficiencies in the use of both water and energy in water distribution networks is strongly demanded. The methodology proposed combines a multi-objective approach and a financial analysis to determine de optimal design of pressurized irrigation networks which entails the minimization of both the investment cost and operational cost under three operating scenarios that incorporate energy saving strategies: 1- all hydrants operate simultaneously; 2- hydrants are grouped into sectors and irrigation turns are established; 3- the on-demand operation of the network is assumed. This methodology has been applied in a real irrigation network located in Southern Spain showing that the lowest overall design cost (investment and operational costs) is achieved in scenario 2. The comparison of the selected solutions in the three proposed scenarios with the current network design considering the total fulfillment of irrigation requirements showed that operational cost savings between 65% and 76% could be achieved.     

Energy and Hydraulic Performance-Based Management of Large-Scale Pressurized Irrigation Systems

Improving energy and hydraulic performance of large-scale pressurized irrigation is now perceived as a very pressing need, after large budgets have been allocated into systems modernization. This paper tackles this priority area by developing a management oriented multi-step methodology, that integrates different existing models, to sector the system according to the pressure requirements of the hydrants, and to regulate the pumping station for i) a fixed and a variable pressure head control, and for ii) an enhanced performance. When applied to an on-demand system in the Sinistra Ofanto irrigation scheme of Foggia (Italy), this integrated approach showed potential for energy saving under the optimal scenario of 49 %, and noticeable improvement in the system performance in terms of hydrant pressure heads, as compared to the actual conditions. The monetary assessment demonstrates that the achieved energy saving amounts to 23,636 Euros per irrigation season, 45 % among which are due to sectoring.     

Prediction of Hydropower Energy Using ANN for the Feasibility of Hydropower Plant Installation to an Existing Irrigation Dam

Recently, artificial neural networks (ANNs) have been used successfully for many engineering problems. This paper presents a practical way of predicting the hydropower energy potential using ANNs for the feasibility of adding a hydropower plant unit to an existing irrigation dam. Because the cost of energy has risen considerably in recent decades, addition of a suitable capacity hydropower plant (HPP) to the end of the pressure conduit of an existing irrigation dam may become economically feasible. First, a computer program to realistically calculate all local, frictional, and total head losses (THL) throughout any pressure conduit in detail is coded, whose end-product enables determination of the C coefficient of the highly significant model for total losses as: THL = C·Q ². Next, a computer program to determine the hydroelectric energies produced at monthly periods, the present worth (PW) of their monetary gains, and the annual average energy by a HPP is coded, which utilizes this simple but precise model for quantification of total energy losses from the inlet to the turbine. Inflows series, irrigation water requirements, evaporation rates, turbine running time ratios, and the C coefficient are the input data of this program. This model is applied to randomly chosen 10 irrigation dams in Turkey, and the selected input variables are gross head and reservoir capacity of the dams, recorded monthly inflows and irrigation releases for the prediction of hydropower energy. A single hidden-layered feed forward neural network using Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm is developed with a detailed analysis of model design of those factors affecting successful implementation of the model, which provides for a realistic prediction of the annual average hydroelectric energy from an irrigation dam in a quick-cut manner without the excessive operation studies needed conventionally. Estimation of the average annual energy with the help of this model should be useful for reconnaissance studies.     

大坝变形监测控制网布设及其基准控制点稳定性分析

大坝变形监测是大坝运行管理中一项非常重要的工作内容,而基准控制点是否稳定是大坝变形监测控制网能够准确监测的前提。该文介绍了平面控制网的布设要求及外业观测时应注意的事项,并以实例对其基准控制点稳定性进行了分析。分析认为,控制点稳定性判定应遵循:初次观测按照文中要求待控制点稳定后进行,二次复测按规范要求,测量控制点的固定角和固定边是否在限差内。基准控制点的稳定可提高大坝变形监测点的观测精度,为准确预报大坝的安全运行提供了保障。     

Multi- Objective Optimal Design of on- Demand Pressurized Irrigation Networks

In the context of water as an economic good, from the use of water, one can derive a value, which can be affected by the reliability of supply. On-demand irrigation systems provide valuable water to skilled farmers who have the capacity to maximize economic value of water. In this study, simultaneous optimization of on-demand irrigation network layout and pipe sizes is considered taking into account both investment and annual energy costs. The optimization problem is formulated as a problem of searching for the upstream head value, which minimizes the total cost (investment and energy costs) of the system. The investment and annual energy costs are obtained in two separate phases. Max–Min ant system (MMAS) algorithm is used to obtain the minimum cost design considering layout and pipe diameters of the network simultaneously. Clement methodology is used to determine flow rates of pipelines at the peak period of irrigation requirements. The applicability of the proposed method is showed by re-designing a real world example from literature.     

Improving Operation of Pressurized Irrigation Systems by an Off-grid Control Devices Network

Water demand in irrigation is expected to increase in the near future, and it will be seriously impacted by climate change, specifically in semi-arid areas. The increase of water demand, along with the reduction of water availability, can seriously intensify the frequency and magnitude of pressure deficits in pressurized irrigation networks, with dangerous consequences on the healthy crop growth and on the crop production. In this framework, the present paper investigates the contribution of a network of smart control valves, named GreenValve System (GVS, patented by the Politecnico di Milano), to improve the management of a pressurized irrigation system. The GVS is able to recover energy for its operation from the flow, to be remotely commanded and to introduce management logics based on real-time data in order to create a stand-alone real-time monitoring and control network. In the paper, specifically, a three-step general and replicable methodological approach for the definition of installation and operating conditions for these valves is proposed. The effectiveness of a specific management logic, allowed by the use of the GVS, to limit pressure deficit and failure occurrence in the network is discussed. Reference is made to a case study on a critical on-demand irrigation network. The results showed that the introduction of simple management rules can reduce and even avoid the occurrence of hydrant failure, creating the conditions for more effective use of the resources.

     

Simulation-Optimization Modeling of Conjunctive Operation of Reservoirs and Ponds for Irrigation of Multiple Crops Using an Improved Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm

Seasonal drought has become an important factor in agricultural production in humid and semi-humid areas. In this study, to mitigate the impact of seasonal drought, a new integrated mathematical model is proposed for optimal multi-crop irrigation scheduling, which is associated with conjunctive operation of reservoirs and ponds to maximize the annual returns for a reservoir-pond irrigation system. This objective is achieved via the use of two models: an operating policy model, which considers the regulatory role of ponds and optimizes reservoirs and ponds releases in one third of a month, and an allocation model, which optimizes irrigation allocations across crops by addressing water production function. The uneven distribution of ponds is also considered by dividing the irrigation district into many sub-districts. Artificial bee colony algorithm is innovatively improved by incorporating differential evolution algorithm and particle swarm optimization algorithm to solve this nonlinear, high-dimensional and complex optimization problem. The methodology is applied to the Zhanghe Irrigation Distict, which is located in Hubei Province of China, to demonstrate its applicability, and three additional models are simulated to demonstrate the validity of the integrated model. The results indicate that the integrated model can alleviate the impact of the seasonal drought and has remarkable optimization effect, especially for drought years. The average annual return calculated by the integrated model is 7.9, 7.0 and 3.1 % higher than that of the remaining three models, respectively. And in the special dry year, in which the frequency of rainfall is 95 %, the annual return calculated by the integrated model is 24.5, 21.8 and 10.1 % higher than that of the remaining three models, respectively.     

基于开源和节流的乌伦古河流域水库群生态调度

针对乌伦古河流域水资源短缺、灌溉挤占生态用水等问题,以生活、工业、灌溉、河道生态基流、河谷林草及补湖生态用水为调度目标,设置开源、节流方案集,建立了以生态缺水量和社会经济缺水量最小为目标的水库群生态调度模型,采用人机对话模拟优化算法求解模型。结果表明：各节流方案的河谷林草和补湖供水保证率能够满足设计要求,缓解了灌溉用水与生态用水间的矛盾,但2017现状水平年和2025远景水平年需水方案的灌溉保证率未满足设计要求;当开源+节流方案调水量超过1.0亿m³时,满足农业灌溉、河谷林草和补湖的供水保证率要求,消除了灌溉用水与生态用水间的矛盾;随着调水量超过1.0亿m³且持续增加,对河谷林草、补湖缺水量、破坏深度等影响不大,推荐1.0亿m³为最佳调水量。     

Water Saving and Energy Reduction through Pressure Management in Urban Water Distribution Networks

Water shortages and climate change are worldwide issues. Reduction in water leakage in distribution networks as well as the associated energy saving and environmental impacts have recently received increased attention by scientists and water industries. Pressure management has been proposed as a cost-effective approach for reduction in water leakage. This study conducted a real-world water pressure regulation experiment to establish the pressure-leakage relationship in a district metering area (DMA) of the water distribution network in Beijing, China. Results showed that flow into the DMA was sensitive to inlet water pressure. A 5.6 m reduction in inlet pressure (from 38.8 m to 33.2 m) led to an 83 % reduction (12.1 l/s) in minimal night flow, which is a good approximator of leakage. These reductions resulted in 62,633 m³ of water saved every year for every km pipe, as well as associated savings of 1.1?×?10⁶ MJ of energy and 68 t of CO₂ equivalent greenhouse gas emissions. The results of this study provide decision makers with advice for reducing leakage in water distribution networks with associated energy and environmental benefits.     

Joint optimization scheduling for water conservancy projects in complex river networks

In this study, we simulated water flow in a water conservancy project consisting of various hydraulic structures, such as sluices, pumping stations, hydropower stations, ship locks, and culverts, and developed a multi-period and multi-variable joint optimization scheduling model for flood control, drainage, and irrigation. In this model, the number of sluice holes, pump units, and hydropower station units to be opened were used as decision variables, and different optimization objectives and constraints were considered. This model was solved with improved genetic algorithms and verified using the Huaian Water Conservancy Project as an example. The results show that the use of the joint optimization scheduling led to a 10% increase in the power generation capacity and a 15% reduction in the total energy consumption. The change in the water level was reduced by 0.25 m upstream of the Yundong Sluice, and by 50% downstream of pumping stations No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4. It is clear that the joint optimization scheduling proposed in this study can effectively improve power generation capacity of the project, minimize operating costs and energy consumption, and enable more stable operation of various hydraulic structures. The results may provide references for the management of water conservancy projects in complex river networks.     

Computational intelligence-based optimisation of wastewater treatment plants.

Methods of computational intelligence (CI), especially fuzzy control and neuronal networks, are used for controlling and optimising of wastewater treatment plants. Areas of application are the control of sludge water dosage, of phosphate elimination by optimal precipitant dosage as well as an optimal aeration in the nitrification zone. In two municipal wastewater treatment plants with 60,000 and 12,600 person equivalents the controllers have been installed and optimised and they have been in operation for several years. Results of operation of the plants are presented in comparison to previously used classical control. Performance increased significantly and the outflow values could be kept securely below the government requirements without increase of the energy consumption. Peak loads in the inflow were eliminated in the plant and did not increase outflow concentrations. Results of operation for more than three years clearly show that the CI controller is a cost-efficient method for a sustainable rise of performance in municipal wastewater treatment plants.     

Design of a Control System Using an Artificial Neural Network to Optimize the Energy Efficiency of Water Distribution Systems

Sustainable management of water supply systems is a major challenge within the framework of the water-energy nexus. The main strategies to improve the operation of these systems are related to increasing the hydraulic and energy efficiency of pumping systems. In this context, this work presents a new artificial neural network (ANN) controller to improve the operation of water distribution systems (WDSs) that includes in its algorithm the specific energy consumption (SEC) as a decision parameter. Therefore, pressure control at the measuring points is also based on the energy efficiency of the pumps. The technique was applied to control the pressures in an experimental setup that emulates a WDS with two consumption zones with different topographies. For this purpose, the controller acted on a conventional pump, a booster pump and a control valve. To analyze the performance under the controller action, tests were performed emulating water-demand scenarios, introducing perturbations and changing the pressure setpoints. The real-time control performance was proven based on the dynamic performance, steady-state performance and SEC. The experimental results showed that the proposed controller kept the pressures close to the setpoints and provided a reduction in the SEC between 15.1% and 17.8%, compared with the uncontrolled system, and an economy that varied from 2.5% to 8.1% compared with the performance of the ANN based only on pressure control.

     

Modernization of irrigation systems in Spain: review and analysis for decision making

Abstract

This article presents a method for analyzing the economic feasibility of modernizing irrigation systems. By using substitution relationships between two variables, one can determine irrigation performance and farm profit ?above which modernization would be justified from an economic point of view; ?and also the investments and energy consumption up to which modernization could be considered cost-effective. By means of representative average values, this method is applied to the now widespread conversion from surface irrigation to drip irrigation in Spain. Two conclusions are drawn. First, modernization may, in some instances, be justified only if more productive crop patterns are implemented. Second, saving water is a cheaper option than using an alternative resource only under certain conditions.     

灌溉泵站流量调节及变频调速节能效益分析

为提高水泵机组运行性能和灌溉供水效益,根据水泵运转关联性函数,联合流量调节变频调速特性,对筛珠洞灌区三级泵站技改方案进行评估分析,并确定与工程实际相匹配的流量调节控制策略。结果表明:变频器智能运算生成与灌溉需水量相符的电源频率,经水泵转速改变实现管阻特性不变条件下的流量动态准确调节。通过合理更新升级改造,水泵机组电能转换效率和自动化控制水平得到全面提高,流量调节响应快,动作可靠性高,供水用电单耗降低。     

Energieoptimierung auf Kläranlagen – Sichtbarmachen,Analyse und Umsetzung von Energieeinsparpotenzialen auf Kläranlagen

Reducing the amount of primary energy needed in wastewater treatment plants can be achieved by lowering their electrical and thermal consumption on the one hand, and by boosting their own production of electrical and thermal energy on the other. The potential savings can be determined by comparing the current energy parameters with plant-specific target figures. With the help of the software tool “Energy Check WWTP”, designed specifically for this purpose by H₂Office, 34 E-checks have been carried out in Austria and Germany since 2010. The result: mean potential savings of 36?% were identified in plants serving up to 50,000 PT and of 28?% for larger plants, and in both cases at least half of the potential savings could be achieved with short amortization times. The target figures vary greatly (between 15 and 38 kWh/PT/a) depending on plant-specific specifications. In order to determine the cause of the surplus consumption and develop effective countermeasures on the basis of an energy analysis, taking a comprehensive approach to wastewater treatment plants as complete systems is called for. In this work, the procedures used to determine fundamental wastewater-related, mechanical and energy management-related parameters are described. Further, concrete examples are used to illustrate approaches to optimizing pumps and agitators, aerated grit chambers and oxygen supply systems.     

Urban Sustainability Incentives for Residential Water Conservation: Adoption of Multiple High Efficiency Appliances

Effects of multiple types of water use efficiency appliances on long term water savings and water use trend shifts were analyzed. The study group included senior and low income families in the urban areas of Miami-Dade County, Florida, USA. The participants in the study group experienced continuous and significant water savings within 3 years of the implementation of the water conservation incentives. Water savings were observed at approximately 200 l per household per day, which is about 31 % reduction in household water demand in comparison to the average residential water demand within the County. The water use profile of participants showed noticeable shifts over time in water demand frequency curves toward lower water consumption rates. The cost-saving analysis showed that adoption of multiple water efficiency appliances contributed to the highest annual monetary savings (i.e., high water savings and moderate product costs). Future conservation program planning efforts should take both water savings and product cost into account in order to achieve the greatest benefits.