Real Time Control of a prototype for pressure regulation and energy production in Water Distribution Networks

In recent years, the opportunity of coupling a pressure management strategy with power generation in Water Distribution Networks (WDNs) has attracted increasing interest. Numerical simulations developed for a number of real cases showed attractive profits and capital payback periods. While many micro- and pico-hydro plants are currently operating along supply water mains, installations in WDNs are quite uncommon, due to the high variability of flow and pressure patterns. Aiming at robust and effective industrial-based solutions, a laboratory prototype was developed for hydropower generation in WDNs. A Pump As Turbine (PAT) was used for generation, although a traditional turbine could be used as well. A control strategy was developed and implemented for automatic setting of regulating valves, aiming at both ensuring adequate pressure over the network and maximizing electric power. Experiments showed that valves can automatically both regulate flow running the PAT and guarantee the set point pressure at the network control node, even in case of abrupt change in pressure and flow discharge.