MODELO DE OPTIMIZACIÓN HEURÍSTICA EN PROYECTOS DE MEJORA DE LA EFICIENCIA HÍDRICA Y ENERGÉTICA DE REDES DE ABASTECIMIENTO

Abstract

The drought that affects Spain and the large increase in energy costs have generated in recent years an increase in projects to improve both water and energy efficiency of water distribution networks. This paper presents a methodology for the development of this type of projects that is based on a heuristic optimization model of the main operations that can be performed on the system. This is based on a calibrated model of the network in which existing leakage flows in the system have been represented as pressure-driven demands. Subsequently, the potential locations of the points at which pump drives are controlled as well as the installation of control points and pressure reduction are analyzed. From here, the heuristic optimization algorithm determines the best combination of the pump operation and the pressure reducing valves position. The objective is to find a balance between water consumption and energy consumption. Finally, the method is applied to the case of the water supply network of L'Olleria (Valencia).