Energy cost optimization in water distribution systems using Markov Decision Processes

As time goes on, more and more operating-modes based on changing demand profiles will be compiled to enrich the range of feasible solutions for a water distribution system. This implies the conservation of energy consumed by a water pumping station and improves the ability for energy optimization. Another important goal was improving safety, reliability, and maintenance cost. In this paper, three important goals were addressed: cost-effectives, safety, and self-sustainability operations of water distribution systems. In this work, the objective functions to optimize were total electrical energy cost, maintenance costs, and reservoir water level variation while preserving the service provided to water clients. To accomplish these goals, an effective Energy Optimization Strategy (EOS) that manages trade-off among operational cost, system safety, and reliability was proposed. Moreover, the EOS aims at improving the operating conditions (i.e., pumping schedule) of an existing network system (i.e., with given capacities of tanks) and without physical changes in the infrastructure of the distribution systems. The new strategy consisted of a new Parallel Multi-objective Particle Swarm optimization with Adaptive Search-space Boundaries (P-MOPSO-ASB) and a modified EPANET. This has several advantages: obtaining a Pareto-front with solutions that are quantitatively equally good and providing the decision maker with the opportunity to qualitatively compare the solutions before their implementation into practice. The multi-objective optimization approach developed in this paper follows modern applications that combine an optimization algorithm with a network simulation model by using full hydraulic simulations and distributed demand models. The proposed EOS was successfully applied to a rural water distribution system, namely Saskatoon West. The results showed that a potential for considerable cost reductions in total energy cost was achieved (approximately % 7.5). Furthermore, the safety and the reliability of the system are preserved by using the new optimal pump schedules.

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Multi-Objective Operation-Leakage Optimization and Calibration of Water Distribution Systems

Water ◽

10.3390/w13111606 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (11) ◽

pp. 1606

Author(s):

Matan Maskit ◽

Avi Ostfeld

Keyword(s):

Optimization Model ◽

Energy Cost ◽

Distribution Systems ◽

Water Distribution ◽

Water Distribution Systems ◽

High Energy ◽

Sensitivity Analyses ◽

Multi Objective ◽

Multi Objective Genetic Algorithm ◽

Pump Scheduling

This study aims to develop and solve a multi-objective water distribution systems optimization problem incorporating pumps’ optimal scheduling and leakage minimization. An iterative optimization model was presented for calibrating and computing leakages in water distribution systems to recognize the critical impact of leakage control on system operation. The multi-dimensional and nonlinear optimization model, incorporating pump control, consumer demands, storage, and other water distribution systems’ components, was constructed and was minimized using a multi-objective genetic algorithm coupled with hydraulic simulations. The model was demonstrated on two example applications with increasing complexity through base runs and sensitivity analyses. Results showed that leakage minimization competes against pumping, mainly when significant differences occur between demands during low and high energy tariffs. Pumping during the periods with high electricity tariffs (when the demands are high) generated pressure distribution that decreased the overall leakage related to pump scheduling that replicated the natural inclination to pump as much as possible at low tariffs (when the demands are low). The optimal fronts were found to be very sensitive to the leakage exponent value, and changing its value indeed contradicted the balance between minimizing the leakage and the energy cost significantly. Altogether, the idea presented in this paper was found capable of facilitating the decision-makers to conveniently select between the energy-efficient pump scheduling and pump scheduling reflecting minimum leakage based on the system operator’s preferences. The research also paves the way to rebuild the optimization model by incorporating water distribution reliability and water quality that, in some cases, may also contradict the choice between energy cost and leakage minimization.

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