Optimal Operation of Water Distribution Systems

Abstract

Optimal operation of a water supply system is solved by progressive optimality (PO), an iterative dynamic programming (DP) method. Given the forecasted demands for the coming 24 hr, the initial and final conditions in the reservoirs, the hydraulic properties of all system components, and the variable energy cost over the day, an optimal schedule of pump operation is found. The algorithm cycles iteratively over the time steps (hours of the day) and network subsystems, and converges to the optimum from any (feasible or infeasible) initial solution. The global optimum is guaranteed only under certain conditions; otherwise a local optimum may be reached. The method is developed and demonstrated on a regional water supply system with eight reservoirs and seven pumping stations.