Author(s): Frank Braunschweig; Sergio Costa; Antonio N. Pinheiro; Alexandra Carvalho
Linked Author(s): António Pinheiro
Keywords: Irrigation systems; Modelling; Optimization; Energy consumption
Abstract: Irrigation infrastructures composed of large reservoirs, canals, pumping stations, hydroelectric power plants and different water consumers are complex systems to manage. The amount of processes involved, some with uncertainties, which determine the dynamics of the system makes it difficult to establish a correct exploration rules. Many approaches have been made to the use of different types of algorithms (Nixon, et al., 2001, Wardlaw and Bhaktikul, 2004). EDIA, Empresa de Desenvolvimento e Infra-Estruturas do Alqueva, is responsible for managing an infrastructure composed of three large subsystems: (i) the Alqueva subsystem, (ii) the Ardila subsystem and (iii) the Pedrogao subsystem. Together, these three subsystems include of 69 dams/reservoirs, connected by over 380 kilometres of canals (primary network), 47 pumping stations in the primary and secondary network and 5 hydroelectric power plants. EDIA must comply with the demands of an increasing number of irrigated areas (currently about 120.000 ha) and of domestic and industrial water consumers. With the conclusion of the infrastructures that constitute the Alqueva subsystem, EDIA developed a global model of operation simulation and optimization. This model allows simulating water transfers between reservoirs and optimize, throughout the year, periods of pumping and power production in accordance with the needs of several agricultural facilities and other water consumers, such as urban and industrial supply. This simulation/optimization can be performed for different hydrological, meteorological and water consumption scenarios. The simulation model and the optimization algorithm have been integrated into a user-friendly interface. The entire software system is called ALWAYS (ALqueva WAter and energ Y Simulator). With ALWAYS, EDIA began to have a decision support tool that allows an optimized management of the exploitation of infrastructures that compose the Alqueva subsystem.
Year: 2017