Optimal pumping scheduling for municipal water storage systems

In this paper, bulk water abstractions and a purification process in terms of water pumped energy consumption, is modelled and simulated. The study proposes an optimal energy consumption-rate management system, using real-time data. The aim is to achieve the goal of obtaining potable water by scheduling the pumping process, to obtain the cheapest energy-rate at any given load demand. Considering the loss due to the effect of evaporation, the effect of precipitation (or rainfall) and seepage losses. As a baseline, an electronic timer switching system for the powering of electrical pumps, used to pump water from one level to another, is incorporated. An optimal control system is included that looks at the energy cost before scheduling the pumping sequence in such a way that pumping occurs during the more affordable energy costing period and ensures that the water demand from consumers matches the water pump level in the storage reservoir. The configuration involved the time of use (TOU) tariff; in the context of the South African electricity tariff. The optimal control output, compared to an electronic timer switching system, shows an end-of-day cost reduction of 1994 ZAR in water-pumped energy consumption from the grid. This reduction in energy consumption is therefore a direct reflection of the reduction in the cost of water supply to consumers.