In 2010, SIG took the opportunity of the replacement of its Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system (SCADA) at the control centre to develop and implement a new programme called Storage Reservoirs Management (SRM). The aim of this programme is to optimise pump operations, depending on energy pricing and operating constraints. The functionality of the SRM, which takes into account the hourly variations of price, also allows SIG to choose the optimal energy tariff, based on spot prices.
The software tool SRM is based on a simulation of SIG’s entire drinking water network including all the facilities (reservoirs, stations, pumps and valves). The model calculates the evolution of the level of the reservoirs, the flow and pressure of the stations and the consumption of customers during a 3 day simulation. At the initialisation of SRM, the forecast of the customer consumption is updated (by running a specific programme “Customer Forecast Consumption”) and the real time operating data is downloaded from the control centre. Then, a generator and optimiser of scenarios produce all possible scenarios. Each single scenario is considered, accepted, noted and scored from best to worst according to the price, the number of manoeuvres and compliance with the operational constraints. Successive runs of the simulation guide its search to select the best pumping plan.
The functionality of the SRM, which takes into account the hourly variations of price, also allows SIG to choose the optimal energy tariff, based on spot prices.
In addition, for both new and experienced operators, this tool allows to facilitate and accelerate training on the drinking water system. It also allows us to improve our knowledge of our drinking water system and can be used as a simulator to assess the feasibility of future projects.
This programme is used as a semi-real time tool. Once a day, the operator runs the SRM programme. The programme allows him to add his expert knowledge by changing the pumping plan, after which he instantly sees the impact of his changes and is therefore able to make the right decisions. The operator approves the pumping plans and then transfers them, along with the envelope (curves used as guide to further monitor the level of the reservoir), to the SCADA in the control centre. Another programme “Follow-up of the pumping plans”, which is integrated in the SCADA system, runs the lists of pumping instructions downloaded from the SRM programme and continuously monitors the pumping plans.
For both new and experienced operators, this tool allows to facilitate and accelerate training on the drinking water system. It also allows us to improve our knowledge of our drinking water system and can be used as a simulator to assess the feasibility of future projects.