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Low energy consumption seasonal calendar for sectoring operation in pressurized irrigation networks

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Abstract

Pressurized irrigation networks and organized on-demand are usually constrained by the high amounts of energy required for their operation. In this line, sectoring, where farmers are organized in turns, is one of the most efficient measures to reduce their energy consumption. In this work, a methodology for optimal sectoring is developed. Initially it groups similar hydrants in homogeneous groups according to the distance to the pumping station and their elevation, using cluster analysis techniques and certain dimensionless coordinates. Second, an algorithm based on the EPANET engine is implemented to search for the best monthly sectoring strategy that accomplish supplying the actual irrigation demand under minimum energy consumption conditions. This methodology is applied to two Spanish irrigation districts (Fuente Palmera and El Villar). Results showed that organizing the networks in sectors, annual energy savings of 8 and 5% were achieved for Fuente Palmera and El Villar when the theoretic irrigation needs were considered. However, these savings rose up to 27 and 9%, respectively when the local practices, deficit irrigation, were taken into account. Thus, they confirm that water and energy efficiency cannot be optimized independently and need to be considered together.

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Abbreviations

α:

Excess of pressure in the worst open hydrant

D:

Number of working hours

E:

Daily energy consumption

F mjl :

Demanded flow in month m, sectoring option j and operating sector l

H max :

Maximum theoretic pressure head

H pmjl :

Pressure head at the pumping station in month m, sectoring option j and operating sector l

H ei :

Elevation from the water source to the hydrant i

H i :

Energy required to supply water to the hydrant i

H j :

Pressure in the worst open hydrant

H li :

Friction losses in pipes

H reqi :

Required pressure head at hydrant

INim :

Daily irrigation need

l i :

Distance from the pumping station to the hydrant i

l max :

Distant to the furthest hydrant

l i *:

Dimensionless coordinate for sectoring

p imj :

Probability of open hydrant in month m and sectoring option j

Power:

Power requirements at the pumping station

q i :

Base demand in hydrant i

q maxi :

Maximum flow allowed per hydrant

R imjl :

Random number based on the (0, 1) uniform distribution

t aj :

Number of hours available for irrigation in sectoring option j

t im :

Number of hours needed to irrigate for every hydrant (i) and every month (m)

γ:

Water specific weight

η:

Pumping system efficiency

z i :

Elevation of hydrant i

z ps :

Elevation of the pumping station

z i *:

Dimensionless coordinate for sectoring

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agronomy, University of Córdoba, Campus Rabanales, Edif. da Vinci, 14071, Córdoba, Spain

    M. T. Carrillo Cobo, J. A. Rodríguez Díaz & P. Montesinos

  2. Department of Applied Physics, University of Córdoba, Campus Rabanales, Edif. Einstein, 14071, Córdoba, Spain

    R. López Luque

  3. Department of Rural Engineering, University of Córdoba, Campus Rabanales, Edif. da Vinci, 14071, Córdoba, Spain

    E. Camacho Poyato

Authors
  1. M. T. Carrillo Cobo
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  2. J. A. Rodríguez Díaz
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  3. P. Montesinos
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  4. R. López Luque
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  5. E. Camacho Poyato
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. A. Rodríguez Díaz.

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Communicated by J. Kijne.

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Carrillo Cobo, M.T., Rodríguez Díaz, J.A., Montesinos, P. et al. Low energy consumption seasonal calendar for sectoring operation in pressurized irrigation networks. Irrig Sci 29, 157–169 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00271-010-0228-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00271-010-0228-2

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