Reliability based optimal design of water distribution networks considering life cycle components

Abstract

Water distribution systems play an important role in supplying water to consumers in a timely and efficient manner. The importance and complexity of such systems lead to extensive research in the area of optimal design of water distribution networks. Traditionally, only system costs are considered in design with few models incorporating environmental impacts. This paper presents a model for designing sustainable water distribution networks by minimising life cycle costs and life cycle CO₂ emissions, while ensuring hydraulic reliability for the life time of the system. The model integrates a multi-objective genetic algorithm with water network simulation software, EPANET. A traditional benchmark water distribution network is used to demonstrate the model. Eight scenarios have been developed to test and validate the model for a variety of objectives with different constraints. Trade-offs between life cycle costs and life cycle emissions, along with hydraulic reliability of the system are illustrated.

Keywords:

• multi-objective optimisation
• water distribution networks
• CO₂ emissions
• sustainability

Acknowledgement

This research was sponsored in part by the grant “Sustainable Infrastructures for Energy and Water Supply” (#0836046) from the National Science Foundation, Division of Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation (EFRI), Resilient and Sustainable Infrastructures (RESIN) programme.