Rigid versus variable energy sources in water-pressurized systems: an economic and environmental analysis

Gómez Sellés E. ; Briones-Hidrovo A. ; del Teso March R. ; Uche Marcuello F.J. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Cabrera Marcet E.

Resumen: The layouts of most urban water systems are known. A head tank with an appropriate elevation is used to supply water through the network at a pressure equal (or higher) to that set by the relevant standards. Furthermore, equalization, fire and emergency storage are important benefits of tank use, as is the possibility of avoiding peak rate electricity fares. However, at the end of the last century, some tanks were reported to have a negative impact the quality of water, and recommendations were made to limit their volume and revise their geometry. Recently, alternative options have been considered. Equalization can be achieved with pumps with variable-frequency drivers, emergency situations can be avoided with electric oil generators and solar plants can be used to offset other generation types and reduce energy costs. Therefore, this article analyses the performance of tanks as an energy source, and tank and pump supply methods are directly compared; overall, direct supply through pumps is cheaper, more energy efficient and more environmentally convenient. Therefore, in the context of climate change, it seems reasonable to avoid water tanks as energy sources.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1007/s11269-021-02885-5

Año: 2021

Publicado en: Water Resources Management 35, 10 (2021), 3203-3220
ISSN: 0920-4741

Factor impacto JCR: 4.426 (2021)

Categ. JCR: WATER RESOURCES rank: 24 / 99 = 0.242 (2021) - Q1 - T1
Categ. JCR: ENGINEERING, CIVIL rank: 33 / 138 = 0.239 (2021) - Q1 - T1

Factor impacto CITESCORE: 6.6 - Environmental Science (Q1) - Engineering (Q1)

Factor impacto SCIMAGO: 0.929 - Water Science and Technology (Q1) - Civil and Structural Engineering (Q1)

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)

Área (Departamento): Área Máquinas y Motores Térmi. (Dpto. Ingeniería Mecánica)