Model for Real-Time Operations of Water Distribution Systems under Limited Electrical Power Availability with Consideration of Water Quality

Abstract

A new methodology is presented for real-time operation of water distribution systems (WDS) under the critical condition of limited electrical energy. The critical conditions could arise due to electric grid failure, extreme drought, or other severe conditions related to natural and artificial disasters such as sabotage, vandalism, terrorism, or war. The methodology presented considers both quantity and quality requirements of various water demands. The basic objective of optimizing water distribution system operations under limited availability of electrical power and/or water is to satisfy the required (requested) demand for service areas (or pressure zones) while meeting system pressure and water quality requirements of the system. The approach combines a genetic algorithm optimization procedure with the simulator EPANET in the framework of an optimal control problem. Combining the simulator and the genetic algorithm is accomplished within a MATLAB framework. The new methodology is illustrated using an example system incorporating both a WDS and electrical power distribution system (PDS) cooling-water system to evaluate the operations of the WDS under limited power supply conditions.