Energy Consumption Optimization in Irrigation Networks Supplied by a Standalone Direct Pumping Photovoltaic System

Picazo, Miguel Ángel Pardo; Juárez, Juan Manzano; García-Márquez, Diego

doi:10.3390/su10114203

Cited by 25 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…Step 3: Calculation of the number of PV arrays. We considered that the minimum number of solar panels matching the constraint energy available (produced) must be greater than the energy required by the WPN at every moment of the day [24]:…”

Section: Calculation Processmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some approaches have focused on standalone direct pumping photovoltaic systems without storage systems [19,20], on solving the shadows passing over the generator [21], on investigating the effect of variable solar radiation on a PV based system [22] and on coupling irrigation scheduling with solar energy production [23]. A tool to synchronize the energy produced and the energy required in an irrigation network while minimizing the number of photovoltaic solar panels was developed [24], which requires that operators control the water and energy demand to fit the energy required by crops to the energy produced by photovoltaic (PV) panels. Some other approaches have calculated the life cycle of a PV system considering the environmental and economic impact sources for rural irrigation systems [25] and the energy payback time and greenhouse emissions [26].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Standalone Photovoltaic Direct Pumping in Urban Water Pressurized Networks with Energy Storage in Tanks or Batteries

2020

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Photovoltaic energy production is nowadays one of the hottest topics in the water industry as this green energy source is becoming more and more workable in countries like Spain, with high values of irradiance. In water pressurized systems supplying urban areas, they distribute energy consumption in pumps throughout the day, and it is not possible to supply electromechanical devices without energy storages such as batteries. Additionally, it is not possible to manage energy demand for water consumption. Researchers and practitioners have proven batteries to be reliable energy storage systems, and are undertaking many efforts to increase their performance, capacity, and useful life. Water pressurized networks incorporate tanks as devices used for accumulating water during low consumption hours while releasing it in peak hours. The compensation tanks work here as a mass and energy source in water pressurized networks supplied with photovoltaic arrays (not electricity grids). This work intends to compare which of these two energy storage systems are better and how to choose between them considering that these two systems involve running the network as a standalone pumping system without being connected to electricity grids. This work also calculates the intermediate results, considering both photovoltaic arrays and electricity grids for supplying electricity to pumping systems. We then analyzed these three cases in a synthetic network (used in earlier research) considering the effect of irradiation and water consumption, as we did not state which should be the most unfavorable month given that higher irradiance coincides with higher water consumption (i.e., during summer). Results show that there is no universal solution as energy consumption depends on the network features and that energy production depends very much on latitude. We based the portfolio of alternatives on investments for purchasing different equipment at present (batteries, pipelines, etc.) based on economic criteria so that the payback period is the indicator used for finding the best alternative, which is the one with the lowest value.

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Section: Calculation Processmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Standalone Photovoltaic Direct Pumping in Urban Water Pressurized Networks with Energy Storage in Tanks or Batteries

2020

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“…Battery storage methods have been shown to be the most effective choice for the cost study presented with the lowest payback periods, but we should also consider their management and replacement [48,50]. Some works have dealt with coupling water consumption and energy production [51][52][53] and the transformation into a standalone direct solar waterpower system (SPWS) [54][55][56][57].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Converting a Water Pressurized Network in a Small Town into a Solar Power Water System

Pardo

Fernández²,

Jódar-Abellán

2020

Energies

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The efficient management of water and energy is one challenge for managers of water pressurized systems. In a scheme with high pressure on the environment, solar power appears as an opportunity for nonrenewable energy expenditure reduction and emissions elimination. In Spain, new legislation that eliminates old taxes associated with solar energy production, a drop in the cost of solar photovoltaic modules, and higher values of irradiance has converted solar powered water systems into one of the trendiest topics in the water industry. One alternative to store energy (compulsory in standalone photovoltaic systems) when managing pressurized urban water networks is the use of head tanks (tanks accumulate water during the day and release it at night). This work intends to compare the pressurized network running as a standalone system and a hybrid solution that incorporates solar energy supply and electricity grids. The indicator used for finding the best choice is the net present value for the solar power water system lifespan. This study analyzed the possibility of transferring the energy surplus obtained at midday to the electricity grid, a circumstance introduced in the Spanish legislation since April 2019. We developed a real case study in a small town in the Alicante Province, whose findings provide planning policymakers with very useful information in this case and similar case studies

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“…Results show that optimal design would ensure continuous operations, resulting in a substantial reduction in the size of the photovoltaic array and therefore the cost of investment capital and the payback period. In another study [7], a new approach is proposed for choosing a scheduled irrigation system that minimizes the amount of photovoltaic solar panels to be installed and better matches energy consumption (calculated for specific possible combinations, supported by programming software) to the available energy obtained from panels without any power conditioning unit. Solar energy is not yet a competitive alternative relative to diesel prices, considering the production price only [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Performance Evaluation and Optimal Sizing of Solar Water Pumping System Compared to Convention Diesel of Remote Site in Egypt

Ibrahim

2020

Preprint

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The lack of electricity; high diesel prices affect Community water supply and irrigation pumping requirements and recent environmental issues coupled with diesel engines demand for a feasible alternative power source for irrigation water pumping. Solar power for water pumping is a good option and attractive choice for conventional diesel-based pumping systems. These systems have been introduced for various applications in many remote areas, ranging from grid extension and community water management to irrigation for agriculture and water supplies for livestock. The aim of this study is to evaluate technical, economic and environmental analysis of solar water pumping systems performance and compare them with convention diesel pumping systems to meet water requirements in irrigation, livestock watering, and neighborhood water supply fields. Recognition system design and selecting suitable design parameters is essential in order to achieve consistent and economical performance of any system. In order to design a solar water pumping system, it is necessary to collect information about the system components and local location climate data. Here , the maximum pumping power required of the solar PV water pumping system, which was determined for 121 m3/hr supply is 443 kW peak (8477 kWh/day) of inhabits residential, live stock and crops irrigation of agriculture remote site without grid power located in El Gharaq, Etsa Region, Fayoum City, Egypt. In parallel, a battery bank has been used as a backup during days of autonomy to increase the system stability. The system design investigates: diesel system, off-grid PV/battery system and compares with PV/Grid system extension power grid. The system model approach defines optimum system configurations with minimal cost of the photovoltaic modules, optimum battery bank size, and volume of storage tank. The optimization model takes into account the average monthly solar radiation, the fulfilling of the water required and the amount of autonomous days needed. The proposed sizing methodology is then performed to check the reliability of this proposed optimization method using commercial optimization software of HOMER 3.13.8, with the key parameters of minimum NPC and COE that shows better results using the system method proposed. It also estimates the pumping power capacity using calculations and equations. The results illustrated that the optimal configurations of this proposed system are 2.57 kW of PV and 2.11 kW converter of on-grid system while 3.83 kW PV and 1.71 kW converter and 10 units of 12 V batteries for PV/battery off-grid system and 3.10 kW PV for diesel system. Also, it was found that the net present cost of solar water pumping system for on-grid mode is equal 3 times of the PV-battery off-grid system and 4 times of convention diesel system net present costs. The cost of energy of solar water pumping system is 0.07 $/kWh for on-grid system while 0.332 $/kWh for PV-battery off-grid system and 0.434 $/kWh for diesel system. With a unit of 0.05 cent/m3, the system with the specified design pumps an average hourly water volume of about 121.4 m3 over one year. The return on investment is found to be 4–6 years for solar water pumping systems. Moreover, from an environmental point of view, the results showed that CO2 output for the on-grid solar water pumping system during the project's lifetime is 6 times lower than that for the standard diesel system. Through sensitivity analysis; energy costs increase by increasing the water storage tank's maximum capacity. Also, when discount rate is increasing; the NPC and COE are also increasing. The Pumping Power capacity is also estimated for this water pumping system and it is found around 10 HP. The results indicate that extension PV on-grid pumping system is the optimum solution for the selected site. Latest Egyptian Photovoltaic Pumping Incentives and policy proposals to encourage solar water pumping in developing countries are also mentioned. It also defines possible areas for investigative follow-up.

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Energy Consumption Optimization in Irrigation Networks Supplied by a Standalone Direct Pumping Photovoltaic System

Cited by 25 publications

References 36 publications

Standalone Photovoltaic Direct Pumping in Urban Water Pressurized Networks with Energy Storage in Tanks or Batteries

Standalone Photovoltaic Direct Pumping in Urban Water Pressurized Networks with Energy Storage in Tanks or Batteries

Converting a Water Pressurized Network in a Small Town into a Solar Power Water System

Performance Evaluation and Optimal Sizing of Solar Water Pumping System Compared to Convention Diesel of Remote Site in Egypt

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