The software calculates optimized pump schedules for pumps in water distribution systems. Because of the interactive presentation of the simulation results, the software can be used as decision support tool for selecting adequate pump schedules.

Pumps in water distribution systems belong to the biggest power consumers of municipal companies. Studies show that most of the pumps are operating under inefficient conditions. On the one hand older pumps do meet the current state of the art. On the other hand, also modern pumps with high efficiencies in their best point are not selected correctly for the operation in a given system. These pumps are very often operated at part load or overload conditions with small efficiencies.

In the research project H2Opt, a software tool for the calculation of optimized pump schedules for pumps in water distribution systems was developed. For the software, a hydraulic model of the water system based on system curves has to be developed. The model is based on measured data from the system. A detailed model of the water network is not necessary.

In addition to the model, the measured data is used for the analysis of load profiles of pumps and the identification of inefficient pumps. This analysis already offers the opportunity to select new pumps or to modify operating schedules with respect to high efficiency.

Additional energy savings are possible by the simulation of optimized pump schedules with the branch and bound method. In this case, the software calculates all possible pump schedules and presents them in a scatter plot. By defining filters, the user can interactively select a fitting pump schedule.

In the research project, energy savings of 30% were demonstrated by selecting pumps according to the system specification. Additional savings of 9% were achieved by the calculation of optimized pump schedules.