Critical Elements Analysis of Water Supply Systems to Improve Energy Efficiency in Failure Scenarios

Water supply systems (WSS) are significant energy consumers, which makes it crucial to find methods to increase energy efficiency. A novel approach is presented here to locate and quantify the most vulnerable elements in terms of energetic efficiency. The method is based on a linear programming (LP) optimization model and the elimination of different components in the system to analyze their impact on energy costs. Pump reallocation is then suggested as a novel dynamic design paradigm for temporary changes in the system to cope with extreme scenarios. Exposing the critical components of WSS improves maintenance prioritization and inventory and contributes to the planning of future investments in the system. Pump reallocation provides an innovative approach for response to critical conditions, it is suggesting rethinking the design concepts to incorporate not just long-term solutions but also rapid, temporary steps in response to failures.