With the aid of the Decision Support System (DSS) EWave, water suppliers are assisted in the energy-optimal operation of their plants by using innovative mathematical optimization and simulation methods to calculate optimal operating schedules for waterworks, pumps or containers.
The operation of water supply systems that serve to cover drinking water requirements is complex. It must be ensured that the water always reaches consumers in sufficient quantity, quality and pressure. In addition to security of supply, consumers are also demanding reasonable water prices. This means that water supply companies must operate their systems both cost-effectively and safely.
The system architecture for the Decision Support System developed in the EWave project has a modular structure (see Figure 1 in picture-gallery). First, the real time data are taken from the control system and pre-processed. A simulation run is then initiated to estimate the current network status and a water consumption forecast for the next 24 hours is carried out. Based on the estimated system status and the consumption forecast, the schedules for pumps, wells and control valves are optimized over the forecast period of 24 hours. This calculation also takes into account failures and operating specifications (e.g. planned maintenance) that limit the options for optimization. The results are then validated again using a detailed simulation. This process is repeated cyclically every 15 minutes, so that the optimization results are updated regularly.
The interaction with the operator takes place via a graphical user interface, which graphically shows the optimization results such as pump schedules and energy costs. The selection is made interactively via the network view or via component trees. In addition, a message window is available in which the operator finds a constantly updated list of pending shift recommendations.
The results from the BMBF project EWave have been incorporated into the further development of the commercially available water management system SIWA. As a result, the user receives pump schedules in a 15-minute time grid, settings for valves, pressure or flow and setpoints for water production (e.g. from well galleries). To do this, the new software tool uses mathematical optimization methods. Offline optimization results show an energy saving potential of up to 10% (see Figure 2 in picture-gallery).
The results of the BMBF project EWave are documented in detail in: Pirsing/Morsi (ed.): Decision Support System for Water Supply Systems, European Mathematical Society, 2020.
