31. Methodology for Valuation of Water Distribution Network Projects Based on the Potential Energy Recovery

Water distribution networks are considered as large energy consumers and usually have excess of energy that, in a classical methodology, are evaluated from the difference between the pressure and the minimum required (potential energy recovery, PRE). These excesses could be recovered either by the users (consumers) of the system (PRE_u) or by the managers of the water supply systems (PRE_r). This distribution depends mainly on the topography of the network. In this paper, an algorithm to determine the PRE_r of a water distribution network is presented. Traditionally, water distribution network sizing projects ware based on the determination of the diameters with the lower investment but satisfying the hydraulic requirements of the network. In this paper, a different sizing alternative based on the determination of the PRE_r is presented. This method allows defining an energy efficiency index that could be used as an indicator for comparing different solutions. The method is applied to several networks in the literature in order to validate the study.