Towards Integrated Real-Time Smart Water Networks Operations

Dedicated to the development of sensors with mesh technology for communication between the various sensors of the water distribution network, namely flow meters and pressure sensors. Subsequently, the sensors will be installed at various points in the water supply network and after their integration with SCADA systems, they will allow real-time monitoring and control of the network’s operational parameters, namely pressure and flow.

Develop and implement a computational methodology capable of automatically and efficiently managing a WDS, i.e., finding the optimal operation of any WDS, transforming it into a smart system. The methodology is based on DL and adaptive control techniques, solving the previously described drawbacks of the classical approaches.

Develop a computational tool that will be used as a supportive and predictive system for WDS maintenance, including the maintenance of equipment and basic infrastructure (such as pipes, valves, junctions, etc.). This task aggregates all the knowledge developed in the previous activities and through the data collected by the sensors (according to activity 1) and the forecast of water consumption (according to the activity 2) to develop a predictive and water loss detection system. The importance of this task is related to failures in equipment, that can result in the interruption of the WDS operation, and in leakages, which can result inlarge costs and environmental adversities. Therefore, the main expected results of this task are the reduction of maintenance costs, the improvement of water losses control and the increase of system robustness.

Develop and implement models and algorithms to be used in the WDS daily operation to minimize costs by optimizing the integrated management of energy resources, including local renewable generation and dynamic pricing tariffs, envisaging the participation in markets as the Electricity Market Regulation Reserve, while ensuring the water supply quality of service requirements. A thorough characterization of all physical elements of the WDS will be made (e.g. storage tanks, pumping stations, sensor network, physical and operational constraints), as well as quality of service indicators and demand forecasting. This will lay the foundation to design the viable DR actions, i.e. reshaping electricity consumption patterns, which will be then considered in the overall framework aimed at optimizing the integrated management of energy resources. Optimization models will be developed encompassing the network infrastructure of water and energy components of the study, exploiting their synergies at the physical and business levels. Subsequently, circular information will be developed and distributed to consumers, reinforcing the quality of the service provided and alerting to sustainable water consumption.

Activities 5 and 6 are transversal to the entire project and concern the promotion and dissemination of results obtained and technical management, respectively.

Activities 5 and 6 are transversal to the entire project and concern the promotion and dissemination of results obtained and technical management, respectively.