Efficiency Increase in Water Transmission Systems Using Optimized Selection of Parallel Pumps Running as Turbines

Abstract

Water transmission lines have considerable hydraulic potential that can be used in hydropower plants to produce energy. The pump as turbine (PAT) is an applicable tool that provides acceptable viability. Due to the large annual consumption variations in transmission lines, the optimization of parallel PATs for regulating pressure simultaneous with generating power has been investigated. Based on the variable operating strategy (VOS) algorithm, the modified effectiveness objective function, including capability, adaptability, and reliability, has been examined for selecting the optimal PATs. The optimization procedure is conducted to obtain the characteristics of parallel PATs with different sizes including flow rate, head, and rotational speed within regulation scenarios. Based on a new flow modulation method, a comparison is made between using the optimal identical PATs and optimal PATs of different sizes. The outcomes showed that using different sizes of PATs can increase the effectiveness and power generation up to 16.8% and 13.4%, respectively. The hydraulic potential of the studied site is equal to 448.63 MWh, and up to 263.3 MWh of it can be harvested.