The significance of this initiative lies in the term of remote surveillance. This term characterizes the remote supervision of facilities. More commonly, of course, we find the combination of the terms remote control and not the term remote supervision. However, although rarer, this term can give a more global picture of the overall system. Remote surveillance is thus also directly linked to the monitoring of the electromechanical installations of a water supply network from a distance. Remote surveillance of facilities offers significant benefits in time, resources and other areas, as it will be seen in the following description. The ability to control and operate remotely is of the utmost importance in a water supply network. Remote monitoring of the water supply network facilities will ensure that the network functions properly, that consumers receive the best possible service and that the product, that is water, is the best quality.
The water supply networks of the Municipality of Domokos are actually a complex system, which consists of water distribution pipes and a large number of components. These components ensure the correct operation of the network. In the event of problems, these components make it possible to deal with them immediately and in a timely manner.
From a more general point of view, the Municipality's water supply networks include pipelines and facilities. The pipelines serve to transport potable water, which has undergone the necessary treatment. In other words, they transport the water from the Water Treatment Units (WTP) to the final consumers' meters. The term facilities refers mainly to pumping stations (simple or pusher) and tanks. These facilities help to supply water to areas which, due to altitude, are impossible to supply with natural flow.
In more detail, the initiative concerns the procurement, installation and commissioning of new power boards with built-in turn regulators for the Drilling of the Water Supply Network, the procurement, installation and commissioning of energy analyzers and Energy Optimization Software operation and replacement of old energy-intensive pumping assemblies, with new high energy efficiency and their integration into the Central Remote Control System of Remote Control and Leak Control of Tanks and Water Pumping Stations of the Service.
On the basis of the above proposed system that will include interventions in forty-one (41) places - forty-one (41) Local Control Stations (TSEs) Drilling in the water supply networks. The Control Stations will continuously and in real time measure the energy consumed. This data will be sent to the Central Control Station (CENTRAL CONTROL STATION) where they will be processed appropriately.
The proposed interventions in the water network control system complete and improve existing infrastructure. This improvement is achieved through selected automation, remote control and remote control functions which offer more efficient management and exploitation of the water supply network. Energy simulation and optimization software will be a tool to optimize the energy consumption of a selected unit or groups of electrical/mechanical equipment (e.g. pumps in boreholes or pumping stations).
For each drilling, the hourly consumption (water demand) for a reference date chosen by the user should be automatically identified, as well as possible values to be added to or multiplied by water demand, at the user’s request, as part of alternative tests. In addition, the nominal flow rate of the pump or pumps shall be taken into account. The software will be based on water demand data and pump production to simulate system operation. It will also make it possible to record the operating parameters of the equipment (e.g. tanks, pumps) combined with the possibility of reading energy consumption data from the SCADA. The software will conduct an automated proposal for the operation that will satisfy as much as possible water demand.
General description of the operation - Contribution of the proposed operation to the objectives pursued
The proposed interventions in the existing water network control system will achieve integration and improvement of existing infrastructure through selected automation, remote monitoring and remote control functions, which will provide more efficient energy management and exploitation of the water supply network. The Energy Simulation and Optimization Software will be a tool to optimize the energy consumption of a selected unit or groups of electrical/mechanical.
Pump motors tend to be sized for the intended maximum load of the pump, but not necessarily for normal continuous duty conditions. In this case, the use of a speed controller can significantly contribute to energy savings. Typically, for every 1% reduction in the output power of the drive, the user saves approximately 2.7% of energy costs, making the use of drives in pump set applications a key contributor to reducing energy consumption.
The advantages and flexibility provided by the use of a speed controller lies in its mode. It is widely known that the speed of an asynchronous engine depends initially on the number of poles of the engine and the frequency of the voltage supplied. The range of voltage supplied and the load on the engine axle also affect the engine speed, but not to the same extent. Therefore, changing the frequency of the electrical supply is an ideal method for controlling asynchronous engine speed. To ensure the proper motor magnetization, it is also necessary to change the voltage range.
The most basic module of a speed controller is the frequency converter, whose basic task is to change the constant voltage/frequency supply. The frequency/voltage control leads to a shift of the characteristic torque through which the speed is changed.
In addition, the use of a speed controller for underwater pumping assembly applications contributes to a significant reduction in maintenance and repair costs and to an extension of the engine and the equipment with which it is interconnected. Submersible pumps driven by an electric motor are subject to rotor currents at actuation that are 6 to 7 times the full load current values. This is due to the high starting torque required to activate the engine from zero speed at the desired operating speed. Frequent start and stop puts the engine in high mechanical and electrical stresses, significant damage, insulation stress and long-term engine wear. It is common practice to limit the number of start/stops per hour to fifteen when the equipment is operated with full voltage starters.
Speed regulators provide a gradual and smooth engine scaling instead of direct activation by full voltage initiators reducing mechanical and electrical voltages. The use of speed regulators sees greater benefits in variable torque applications compared to constant torque applications. Examples of variable torque loads are centrifugal pumps, underwater sewage pumps and other rotating equipment. When load requirements are less than full speed, a speed controller provides the means for less energy and increased cost savings.
The advantages become more apparent during the life cycle of a pump. On average, 90% of the life cycle costs of a pump are attributable to energy consumption, while only 5-8% relate to initial costs and 2-5% to maintenance costs. It is therefore important to keep the operating costs of a pumping system at the lowest possible level. Efficient operation results in lower power consumption and therefore lower operating costs. The decisive reduction in energy consumption is reinforced by the fact that on average pumps are operated for more than 2000 hours a year.
