Through the installation of a smart pressure management device, an Irish water company was able to reduce their pump usage by more than 90%; practically, for 22 hours each day.
By David Hurley, Business Development Manager (Smart Products), AVK UK
Charleville is a small town located in Munster, the most southerly of Ireland’s four provinces. The Charleville water supply scheme that delivers water to the town and surrounding area includes a covered distribution reservoir, similar to thousands across the British Isles. However, the reservoir is the location chosen by a major water supply company to install and trial an AVK Smart Water PMD (Pressure Management Device).
Plug and Play
The AVK Smart Water PMD is a ‘plug and play device’ that is capable of measuring pressure, flow and level; it can be fitted to a wide variety of different valve types. In the case of reservoir, an AVK Series 879 dual-solenoid control valve is installed below ground. It is linked, via a ducted hydraulic drive, to the associated PMD and valve controls housed above ground in a stone-built booth some 20m away. The PMD has now been running successfully for over four months.
Energy Saving
Prior to the installation of the AVK Smart Water PMD, the pumps at the Charleville reservoir had worked continuously 24/7 to maintain the reservoir at full capacity. Now, the reservoir inlet (the location of the control valve and PMD) is closed off to allow the water level in the reservoir to drop before the pumps are activated.
This has brought two major benefits:
- Water quality has improved due to increased water turnover, and
- There have been huge energy savings as the pump’s activity has been reduced by 22 hours per day.
Also, it is projected that this will have a major impact on the longevity of the pumps, which means less maintenance/replacement costs.
Internet of Things
Whilst the reservoir is a closed-loop installation, the full benefit of smart water devices like the PMD are realised when they are distributed across the water network. The ability of smart water devices to send and receive data and instructions via the Internet of Things (IoT) enables water companies to respond to network events in real time. It is envisaged that the PMD will be integrated into the water company’s SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system.
Smart Solutions
The smart PMD is just one of a portfolio of smart water network products being launched by AVK during 2020. It places AVK Smart Water in the vanguard of companies developing solutions for water companies in this frontier technology.
AVK Smart Water
Adding a smart level to your water network comes with a broad range benefits.
Learn more about the AVK Smart Water solutions in our SMART area.
GO TO AVK SMART WATER
Within the subject of Water and Energy...
Water and energy are inseparable elements. Water management needs energy, and energy production needs water. Learn how we aim for energy-neutrality in the processes, and how this is part of our common UN goals for sustainable development.
READ ARTICLE
