Evaluation of energy recovery potential in water distribution networks by reducing excess pressure: antalya city Anfaş region and Kaleiçi region applications

The water required for the continuity of life is taken from the source and provided for the use of people by means of the drinking water transmission and distribution networks. Good operation of water supply systems is crucial for the sustainable development of a city. Improving energy efficiency, reducing energy and water losses in the network as well as reducing carbon dioxide emissions are among the priority targets within the scope of sustainable drinking water supply system. Pressure is one of the basic design parameters in drinking water transmission lines and distribution networks. Very low and high water pressure levels are not suitable for operation in distribution networks. At low pressure levels, there are problems in the transportation of water to the subscribers, while high water pressure causes water losses in the network. For this reason, it is important to keep the water pressure in the drinking water distribution networks between certain limits and to manage the pressure. Most of the drinking water supply systems have excess pressure, and balancing reservoirs, tanks or pressure reducing valves (Pressure Reducing Valve, PRV) are used to reduce excess pressure. In recent years, the use of pump as turbine (PAT) has been of great interest in order to reduce the excess pressure in water distribution networks and to generate energy simultaneously. In this thesis, evaluation of energy recovery potential was conducted by analyzing reduction of the excess pressure in water distribution networks using a hydraulic model. The energy recovery potential in this process was examined and the applications for two different water distribution networks in the city of Antalya were investigated. The long-term analysis of the energy produced by decreasing the excess pressure in the Anfaş region by using a PAT system was carried out. Additionally, the optimum operating pressure and excess pressure levels for the drinking water distribution network of Kaleiçi region were determined and the energy production potential was investigated.