INCREASING ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF GROUND WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS

The potential for reduction in energy consumption, and decrease in onpeak energy use exists in the operating water supply system of cities utilizing groundwater as their supply source. The reduction in energy use may be achieved by: (1) Optimal operation of individual wells, and (2) Optimal operation of existing pumps in a city water supply system. The decrease in onpeak energy use may be achieved by: (1) Optimal utilization of the available storage volume, and (2) construction of additional reservoirs which may be used for storing water during the offpeak hours.;The only economic incentive which may encourage municipalities to try reducing their onpeak energy use is provision of a time-of-use electrical energy rate. For optimal utilization of available storage, a simulation/optimization model may be used. The model provides an optimum pumping schedule using the pipe network characteristics, the pump characteristics, and the available storage capacities. The simulation/optimization model may also be used in determining economic feasibility of constructing new reservoirs. The system operation and construction cost associated with different storage capacity may be computed. The storage size corresponding to the minimum cost may be considered as the optimal storage volume.;The optimal operation of an individual well may be achieved by selecting and installing a pump which best fits the characteristics of the well and the distribution system. The optimal operation of wells in an existing water supply system may be achieved by devising a pumping schedule which makes use of the less expensive pumps prior to use of the more expensive ones (optimal pumping schedule).