Optimization of low-head hydropower recovery in water supply networks

Small scale hydropower is emerging as a decentralized source to satisfy local demand for electricity. The interest in micro-hydropower, which refers to installed power below 100 kW, is increasing since this is a solution with low environmental impact. Water supply systems are one of the main manmade water systems presenting potential for micro-hydropower. Although some applications already exist in adduction lines, the urban distribution networks remain unexplored. Because these are complex systems in which flows and pressure vary constantly, specific technology and installation schemes for energy recovery are lacking. This work accesses the potential for hydropower within water supply networks (WSN) and presents an arrangement of micro-turbines specially conceived for this type of installation. The arrangement is based on a novel inline turbine suitable for pressurized systems and its best location within the networks is studied. The five blade tubular propeller (5BTP), preliminarily designed in the framework of the European Project HYLOW, was further developed and tested in this work. An experimental campaign was conducted with a large range of heads and torque measurements to access its characteristic curves and to obtain hill charts. The relative positioning of the turbine-generator shaft regarding the pipe bend was modified from a downstream position to an upstream position. Efficiencies of around 60% were found. The adequate locations in WSN for micro-hydropower plants are identified using an optimization algorithm which considers both the assessment of the energy production and sizing of the main equipment and works. A concept for the implementation of the 5BTP in the field was developed, consisting of an arrangement with up to four turbines inline within a buried chamber created around an existing pipe. Two objective functions, energy production and economic value respectively, are used. A simulated annealing process is developed to optimize the location of a given number of turbines. This procedure takes into account the hourly variation of flows throughout an average year and its effect on the turbine efficiency. The optimization is achieved by considering the characteristic and efficiency curves of a turbine with different impeller diameters and simulating the annual energy production in a coupled hydraulic model. After a convergence analysis for different restrictions and numbers of installed turbines, the algorithm was applied to analyze the feasibility of the proposed arrangement in two case studies in Switzerland: a sub-grid of the city of Lausanne and the complete WSN of the city of Fribourg. In both cases, the implementation of the proposed energy recovery solution seems to be feasible. A detailed analysis of the cost breakdown revealed that the cost of additional pipe work, which are required in each layout to guarantee a by-pass supply in case of maintenance, may have an important role on the investments. Also, the pressure reduction valves locations, if they exist, are likely to be the optimal solutions. Finally, a methodology to quantify the potential for hydropower based on the excess energy in a WSN is proposed and applied to case studies. It allowed to conclude how much the proposed arrangement can extract from the networksâ energy potential. In addition, an attempt was made to produce an expedite method to estimate the energy produced with one 5BTP based on network parameters and dimensional analysis.

Méthodologie pour la conception et la gestion des aménagements hydrauliques à buts multiples par une analyse systémique

Philippe Heller

Repeated failures as well as difficulties related to the implementation of new hydroelectric powerplants in industrialized countries illustrate the paradigm evolution which manages relationship between human society and nature. Problems resulting from these plants, often ignored during planning phases, in addition to the current trend to restore a natural state, require ecological analyses for new constructions as well as for scheme restoration or river corrections. Taking into account energy and ecology, together with security, financial and socio-economical aspects, transforms the design of hydraulic schemes into complex problems. Designing, dimensioning and managing in an integrated way such multipurpose hydraulic schemes thus require new approaches. The first objective of the present work is the comprehension of the complex system formed by a multipurpose hydraulic scheme and the determination of its most important characteristics. The second objective aims at developing a methodology to quantify the installation impacts on the key factors of the system. The third objective is an optimization of the system itself as well as the determination of the distribution of the cost between the various purposes. The developed methodology first includes a qualitative analysis of the system which then allows a quantitative modelling. Optimization is carried out on the basis of this second modelling. The cost distribution is finally obtained by comparison of partial optimizations of the system. The qualitative analysis is carried out starting from the method developed by Gomez and Probst (1995) which is based on a cognitive representation in order to model the complex system behavior. This representation includes feedback loops between the various factors. The mathematical analysis of the network classifies these factors and highlights the most important ones (key factors). In the particular case of the multipurpose run-of-river hydroelectric scheme, this method distinguishes the decisional level from the functional level. It underlines the variable, namely the downstream flow, which constitutes the bond between the two levels. The purposes of this project are to reduce hydropeaking, to produce energy, to offer a retention volume for flood mitigation and to allow a social use for leisure activities. Quantitative modelling is carried out by simulation models, considering an optimized operation of the reservoir which determines the downstream flow. This optimization is performed by a mathematical resolution using the software AMPL. It includes the constraints to reduce the downstream flow variations with the objective of maximizing energy production. It also results in minimal reservoir water level variations. The simulation models then calculate the scheme behaviors (hydraulic, energy, thermal, ecological, social and financial). The flood management is treated separately, with the objective of reducing the flood peak by preventive draining of the reservoir. A financial comparison of the probable impact of retention on peak floods is carried out by evaluating the potential of lowering downstream dams. An optimization of the turbine dimensioning, specifically applicable in case of highly variable water levels (upstream and downstream) and flow discharge, is also developed. The general optimization of the system, performed with the optimization tool QMOO (developed at the Industrial Energy Systems Laboratory – EPFL), is related to variables which determine the size of the scheme. This optimization is carried out in two stages. The first stage determines, for each goal of the system (partial optimization), the optimum production conditions of the set goal. This stage defines a transfer function between the optimal production and the minimal investment. The second stage determines, by a complete optimization using the transfer functions, the set of optimal solutions. These optimal solutions are then filtered by two successive filters : the synergistic filter eliminates solutions which do not reduce the investment, whereas the filter of the actors eliminates solutions which produce quantities below the limit or which require investment above the fixed limit. The complete methodology, developed in 12 steps from the qualitative analysis to the final set of solutions, is applied to a study case on the Swiss Upper Rhone River. The solutions found are able to satisfy the requirements of the various actors while generating a saving on investment higher than 10 %. This reduction, called synergistic profit, is compared to the sum of the optimal investments of a single purpose scheme carried out separately. The solutions found require an investment in the range of 150 to 180 MioCHF. They allow producing 42GWh/yr of electricity, reducing the current hydropeaking by approximately 30% and offering a social impact calculated at 55'000 visits per year. The available volume for flood management oscillates between 5 and 8 Mio m3. This research work, carried out within a team of ecologists, architects, civil and mechanical engineers, producers of hydroelectricity and public authorities, showed the relevance of the selected approach which led to the feasibility of the suggested solutions. In addition, the modularity of the developed methods (qualitative analysis, hydropeaking management, probabilistic retention impact on flood peaks, optimisation of turbine dimensioning, partial and complete optimizations) allow a wide range of possibilities for partial use, for applications to other works or for future developments. The principal results of this research can be defined as follows : 1) an operation method is developed in order to absorb more than 50% of the current hydropeaking while losing less than 10% of the energy potential, 2) the financial retention impact on flood peak is justified, 3) turbine dimensions are optimized in case of strong variability on both flow and head, 4) conception and dimension of multipurpose schemes are performed in an integrated way and lead to solutions which allow cost saving for each objective.

EPFL2007

Optimal location of micro-turbines in water supply network

Irene Almeida Samora, Mário Jorge Rodrigues Pereira Da Franca, Anton Schleiss

Micro-hydropower is currently expanding as a solution to improve the efficiency of water systems by using energy excesses which are typically lost. In the particular case of water supply systems, often excessive pressure exists in zones of the network connected to other areas situated at higher altitudes. Pressure reducing valves are commonly used as a mean for dissipation of this excess energy. In this work, the installation of micro-turbines in a closed water supply network is analyzed as a way to recover the existing surplus of energy by converting it into electricity. The flow in water supply systems is highly variable, with a direct impact on the efficiency of the turbine and, as most water-supply networks are meshed, the optimal location of the energy converters is not straightforward and needs assessment by simulation processes. For this purpose, an optimization tool based on the application of an evolutionary algorithm was developed to select the best location, model and runner size of a selected number of turbines to install in a network. Using the characteristic and efficiency curves of a micro-turbine and a database of flow demand given every hour, a simulated annealing process is applied to maximize the energy production while pressure restrictions imposed by regulation must be respected. The methodology was applied to a case study in a sub-grid of the water supply system of the city of Lausanne, Switzerland, and the considered micro-hydro converter was a five blade tubular propeller. This study is focused on the simulation problem and the convergence to optimal solution is analyzed under different restrictions and number of turbines to install.

2015

Méthodologie pour la conception et la gestion des aménagements hydrauliques à buts multiples par une analyse systémique

Philippe Heller

EPFL2007