Analysis of the Possible Use of Solar Photovoltaic Energy in Urban Water Supply Systems

Abstract

Abstract:Because of the importance of water supply for the sustainability of urban areas, and due to the significant consumption of energy with prices increasing every day, an alternative solution for sustainable energy supply should be sought in the field of Renewable Energy Sources (RES). An innovative solution as presented in this paper has until now not been comprehensively analyzed. This work presents the solution with the application of a (Photovoltaic) PV generator. The main technological features, in addition to the designing methodology and case study are presented in this paper. The critical period approach has been used for the first time for system sizing. The application of this sizing method provides a high reliability of the proposed system. The obtained results confirm the assumption that the PV generator is a promising energy sustainable solution for urban water supply systems. The service reservoir, which acts as water and energy storage for the proposed system, provides the basis for a sustainable solution of water and energy supply. In accordance with the proposed, the reliability of such system is high. This concept of energy supply operation does not generate any atmospheric emission of greenhouse gases, which contributes significantly to the reduction of the impacts of climate changes. The proposed solution and designing methodology are widely applicable and in accordance with the characteristics of the water supply system and climate. OPEN ACCESS

A framework for application of renewable energy in urban water systems

“…All these water and wastewater storage methods can, in principle, be integrated with PV generators in order to sustain renewable energy use. Integration can be accomplished with existing UWS storage and new purpose-built methods for the maximum use of solar energy [18].…”

“…The rapid increase in solar-to-electric power conversion efficiency (currently 17.9% certified) in less than five years makes it highly promising for large-scale commercialization [17]. Figure 5 presents typical water demands in a coastal settlement with a population of 8970 in Croatia using a specific water consumption of 160 L/capita/day [18]. It is known that in the warmer periods of the year and days, i.e., periods of stronger solar radiation, the water consumption is higher, and therefore the electric energy consumption in the UWS is higher.…”

“…A solar water pumping system is the simplest and safest way to use solar energy in a UWS, as shown in Figure 6 [18]. A pump station operates when solar energy is available, and pumps water into a reservoir that balances the inflow and outflow of water in the design period.…”

“…Owing to this, the integrated system "PV generator-pump station-reservoir-water demand" should be accordingly sized in order to achieve the required level of operational reliability during the entire planning period [18]. The critical period for operation of the system is the period in which the relationship between the necessary hydraulic energy ES and the available solar energy EH is the least favorable in relation to the function of the system "PV generator-pump station-reservoir-water demand."…”

Some Aspects of the Operation Work of Pump Station and Water Reservoir

“…Such guidelines have to accommodate a large range of possible conditions, meaning that systems are potentially overdesigned, but reliable. In accordance with the respective norms and particular situations, influence of fire and emergency volumes on operation volume analysis may be neglected [1,3,4]. Based on the above, only the balancing of water storage will be calculated in this paper.…”