Sensitivity Analysis of Energy Use in Pipe-Replacement Planning for a Large Water-Distribution Network

Abstract

Most utilities are actively engaged in pipe replacement planning for a variety of reasons: to reduce the volume of lost water in their network by repairing or avoiding main breaks, to alleviate water quality concerns, to improve overall area delivery, and many others. Rarely are whole-of-life energy considerations taken into account when utilities create their pipe replacement schedules. The aim of the paper is to perform a sensitivity analysis on several important parameters related to pipe replacement, i.e., leak volume per break, leak duration, break rate model, and pump efficiency, on the energy use of a large-scale distribution network. The sensitivity analysis is carried out for a no-replacement baseline scenario and three replacement plans. For the specific water network examined, results suggest that the leakage volume per break, leak duration, and break forecasting model coefficients have a small effect on energy use, regardless of the pipe replacement plan. Pump efficiency was found to have the most significant effect on energy use.