📋 Case Study
Real-Time Pump Scheduling for Barcelona’s Tertiary Reservoir System
Excessive energy costs (34% of OPEX) and frequent low-pressure complaints during peak afternoon hours
🏗️ Project Overview
Integration of SCADA-controlled pumps feeding elevated storage tanks serving high-elevation districts
🎯 Challenge
Excessive energy costs (34% of OPEX) and frequent low-pressure complaints during peak afternoon hours
🔧 Design Approach
Model Predictive Control (MPC) using 24-hr demand forecast + electricity tariff windows + tank level constraints
📐 Design Diagram
AI-generated project design illustration
📐 Key Calculations
Optimal Fill Timing
Minimize Σ(Power × Tariff) subject to tank level bounds
Result: 02:00–05:00 & 22:00–03:00
Shifts 78% of pumping to off-peak tariffs
Pressure Setpoint Optimization
Dynamic head target based on elevation + minimum residual pressure
Result: 42–58 m (vs. fixed 65 m)
Reduces throttling losses and pump wear
📊 Results
19% reduction in annual energy cost ($1.2M savings); 99.8% pressure compliance rate; 22% extension of pump service life💡 Lessons Learned
- •Fixed pressure setpoints waste energy in variable-topography networks
- •Forecast accuracy >92% is required for reliable MPC
- •SCADA integration latency must be <30 sec for real-time responsiveness
✅ Key Takeaways
- 1Fixed pressure setpoints waste energy in variable-topography networks
- 2Forecast accuracy >92% is required for reliable MPC
- 3SCADA integration latency must be <30 sec for real-time responsiveness
📐 Prerequisites
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