Improved Pump Setpoint Selection Using a Calibrated Hydraulic Model of a High-Pressure Irrigation System

TL;DR

This study demonstrates how calibrating a hydraulic model with real data can optimize pump setpoints in a high-pressure irrigation system, leading to energy and emission savings.

Contribution

The paper introduces a calibrated hydraulic modeling approach for pump setpoint optimization in high-pressure irrigation systems, improving efficiency and reducing environmental impact.

Findings

4.7% energy cost savings achieved

4.7% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions

Validated method for pump setpoint optimization

Abstract

This paper presents a case study of the operational management of the Robinvale high-pressure piped irrigation water delivery system (RVHPS) in Australia. Based on datasets available, improved pump setpoint selection using a calibrated hydraulic model is investigated. The first step was to implement pre-processing of measured flow and pressure data to identify errors in the data and possible faulty sensors. An EPANET hydraulic simulation model was updated with calibrated pipe roughness height values by using the processed pressure and flow data. Then, new pump setpoints were selected using the calibrated model given the actual measured demands such that the pressures in the network were minimized subject to required customer service standards. Based on a two-day simulation, it was estimated that 4.7% savings in pumping energy cost as well as 4.7% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions can be achieved by applying the new pump setpoints.