Measurement and improvement of the energy efficiency at pumping stations

This paper illustrates that simple electrical and hydraulic measurements at pumping stations can help to improve their management. In the case study, a cost saving of 16% was obtained by changing the regulation of the pumping station. In only one season, the additional costs of applying this methodology (electrical network analysers, flowmeters, and pressure transducers) would have been recovered with the energy efficiency improvement. Results could vary in other cases depending on the discharge distribution and the working points of the pumps.