Proposal and simulation of a mixed-integer programming model with pressure constraints to optimization the use of electricity in water supply systems

Abstract

Water is an essential element of life and its role in the development of civilization has been recognized since antiquity. Over time, the techniques to obtain clean water evolved, and nowadays, there are supply systems where water is collected, treated, and sent to points of consumption, avoiding diseases and improving the quality of life of the population. The processes adopted in the water supply systems consume a large amount of electric energy. The majority of this consumption is concentrated in the pumping systems, present from the catchment in water sources to the supply points. As the electricity tariffs are dynamic (they have different prices according to the time), a time schedule for the operation of the pumps results in significant savings for the supply companies. The objective of this research project is to propose and test a mixed integer programming problem for planning the operation of hydraulic pumps in supply systems, considering in the model constraints referring to pressure zones. Numerical tests will be performed with water networks from the literature. The solutions obtained will be simulated in the EPANET software in order to evaluate the feasibility of applying these solutions in practice. (AU)