Supporting design of combined energy recovery and pressure control in a water distribution system

One of the main objectives of water managers is to reduce water losses in urban water distribution networks (WDNs). In most cases, the reduction of losses can be achieved by implementing pressure control strategies, like using pressure control valves (PCVs) before planning pipe rehabilitation works. However, PCV devices dissipate large quantities of potential energy that could be converted into electrical energy that can be used to supply, for example, other equipment for system monitoring or control. Although effective solutions combining energy recovery systems and pressure control have been developed so far, their implementation in place of existing PCV in real WDN is usually not well accepted by water utilities since they represent past investments.This work proposes a methodology to support possible combination of new Power Recovery systems (PRs) and existing PCV in real WDNs, based on hydraulic modelling. Numerical results and operational advantages are discussed from energy and asset management perspectives.