Design strategy to maximize recovery energy towards smart water grids: case study

ABSTRACT

Water distribution networks (WDNs) appear as a new opportunity to generate clean energy using pumps working as turbines (PATs) instead of pressure reduction valves (PRVs). This research presents a strategy for maximizing the recovered energy, and the development of a deep feasibility analysis, enabling the selection of the best scenario and operation mode. A design for a strategy to create an acceptable PAT working in a water distribution network and maximizing energy production, without affecting the water distribution service, is presented. The characteristic parameters of the system are described, evaluating efficiency, capabilities, reliability and sustainability. In addition, an economic analysis of the project was made to evaluate the viability of PAT implementation. The total energy production in this case study was 485 MW h/year; and the feasibility indexes, internal rate of return, benefit/cost ratio and payback period were 0.79, 8.2 and 2 years, respectively.

KEYWORDS:

• Energy recovery
• pump as turbine (PAT)
• efficiency and sustainability
• water distribution network (WDN)
• smart water grid

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the project Reducing Energy Dependency in Atlantic Area Water Networks (REDAWN), EAPA_198/2016 from INTERREG ATLANTIC AREA PROGRAMME 2014–2020 and CERIS (CEHIDRO-IST) as well as the programme supporting the academic careers of the faculty of the Universitat Politècnica de València 2016/2017 in the second author’s project ‘Maximization of the global efficiency in PATs in laboratory facility’.