Efficiency increase with modern well pumps: Results of the research project ENERWAG - Energy efficiency in water collection

摘要

Approximately 70 % of Germany's drinking water supply originates from ground water that must be pumped out of deep wells to be subseguently conveyed to water works for treatment. Based on a survey of the Berlin Water Company (Berliner Wasserbetriebe) more than 50 % of energy losses are present in the water collection systems. Reasons for losses are analysed and assigned to relative low efficiency of installed well pumps, current state of pipe network and overall well pump operation. The present results confirm efficiency increases from 8 % and 10 % with modern well pumps at two different locations in Hamburg and Berlin. For the evaluation a detailed measurement concept for data analysis was developed and pumps with high efficiency and different motor concepts (asynchronous versus synchronous motor) were analysed in real well field operation. The innovative pump technology opens new avenues for well field operation management but increases complexity of well infrastructure. The practical tests show that for each well pump detailed operation points and conditions must strictly be observed and considered to further enhance energy efficiency in the water collection system.