Water Pump Scheduling for Cost Optimization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water system management methods are inefficient, leading to excessive economic operating costs due to the conventional approach of running pumps when water levels in storage facilities reach or drop below a predetermined threshold, without optimizing for cost-effective operation based on variable utility costs and demand.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for scheduling water inflow into storage facilities by dividing the day into time periods, assigning pumping schedules to minimize costs by prioritizing lowest available cost rate periods, and adjusting schedules dynamically to maintain operational constraints, such as minimum and maximum water levels, using a scheduling apparatus that can control pumps based on predicted demand and cost variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pumps are run when water levels reach or drop below a predetermined threshold, then water supply demand is met, but economic operating costs increase excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by scheduling pump operations in advance based on predicted water demand and variable cost rates. Instead of reacting to threshold breaches, the system proactively schedules pumping during low-cost periods to meet future demand, thereby reducing operating costs while ensuring supply reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts pump scheduling based on variable cost rates and predicted demand patterns. The control method adapts the pumping schedule in real-time according to changing cost conditions and demand forecasts, optimizing the balance between meeting water supply demands and minimizing operating costs.
2Ease of operation
If conventional threshold-based pump control is used, then system operation is simple, but cost optimization is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service through automated scheduling based on predicted demand and variable cost rates. The control method autonomously determines optimal pump schedules without requiring complex manual intervention, maintaining ease of operation while achieving cost optimization through automated decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring actual demand against predicted demand and adjusting the scheduling accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that the simplified operation maintains effectiveness while adapting to real-world conditions to optimize costs.
3Loss of energy
If pumping schedule is optimized for lowest cost rate periods, then operating costs decrease, but water level constraints may be violated
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes parameters by adjusting the scheduling parameters based on both cost rates and water level constraints. The control method dynamically modifies pump schedules to account for minimum and maximum water level constraints, ensuring that cost optimization does not compromise reliability by violating operational constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically balances cost optimization with constraint satisfaction by continuously adjusting the pumping schedule based on predicted demand, cost rates, and water level constraints. This dynamic approach ensures that the schedule remains feasible while minimizing operating costs.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a system and method for controlling a water supply system having at least one pump and at least one storage facility. Also disclosed are a system and method of establishing a pumping schedule for a water supply system having at least one pump and at least one storage facility. The systems and methods are adapted to minimize the economic cost associated with operating the pump(s) of the water supply system. Another aspect of the systems and methods includes meeting operational constraints of the water supply system.