Optimum location for energy recovery and leakage reduction in water distribution networks

Abstract

AbstractThe excess pressure in water distribution networks (WDNs) can be utilized to reduce leakage and produce energy by installing energy recovery devices (ERDs) like microturbines or pumps-as-turbines. The major challenge in adopting ERDs in pipe networks is to locate the optimum location for their placement. An optimization procedure is proposed in this work to find the optimum locations of energy recovery (ER) and leakage reduction (LR). The optimization method is based on the Rao algorithm, written in Python, coupled to an EPANET-implemented hydraulic model. With optimal ER of 543.46, 648.24 and 154.58 kWh/day and LR of 61.1, 13.6 and 6.8%, three benchmark networks – the 5-node, the 25-node and the 46-node network – serve as the basis for validating the proposed approach which converges to the best solution in only 2,000, 4,000 and 10,000 function evaluations. For large networks, solutions with two ideally located devices gave higher ER than three imperfectly located devices. This methodology is verified to give optimal ER locations and can be applied to any pipe network regardless of size and location. This work made it easier to analyse the potential for ER in WDNs and promotes the use of sustainable leakage management methods.