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Abstract
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Widely used software packages might still be deficient when it comes to optimal pump
scheduling as they allow concurrent Variable Speed Pumps (VSPs) at low speeds and low
efficiency. In this study, a new method is developed to optimize the Number of Active
Pumps (NAPs) and their variable setting, not only to address the mentioned issue, but also
to improve pressure reliability, leakage, and electrical power consumption in Water Distribution
Networks (WDNs). For this purpose, an Active Pumps Index (API) is proposed
to find the optimal NAPs at each time step and a single-objective Network Pressure Reliability
Index (NPRI) is used to optimize VSP setting. Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO)
algorithm is developed in MATLAB and linked with EPANET as the hydraulic simulator.
The proposed method is applied to a sample and a real WDN. The results in both cases
show a significant reduction in NAPs, as well as energy costs, while tangibly improving
leakage and pressure reliability, especially in big pump stations with several pumps.
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