Management tools for hydro energy interventions in water supply systems

“There is significant potential for energy recovery through the use of micro-hydropower installations in
water supply systems. To exploit the full potential of hydro energy in balance with the optimal
hydraulic performance and water supply service, multi-objective management tools are needed. This
paper presents the application of four management tools: 1) an energy audit to evaluate the potential
hydro energy in the water pressurised systems of Alcoy; 2) multi-criteria decision making methods for
the selection of the preferred energy efficient operation of a system with a pump-storage reservoir and
hydro-turbines in the Algarve; 3) a numerical dynamic tool for optimal turbine operation in the water
distribution of Langhirano; and 4) an urban water optioneering tool to estimate the hydropower
potential of the external aqueduct network in Athens. These methods showed that through an
integrated approach the water supply systems can be optimised for both hydraulic performance and
hydro energy production.”

© IWA Publishing 2015

(Citaat: Frijns, J.A.G., Marchet, E.C., et al., – Management tools for hydro energy interventions in water supply systems – Water Practice and Technology 10(2015)2, p.214-228)