Operational predictive optimal control of Barcelona water transport network

This paper describes the application of model-based predictive control (MPC) techniques to the supervisory flow management in large-scale drinking water networks including a telemetry/telecontrol system. MPC is used to generate flow control strategies (set-points for the regulatory controllers) from the sources to the consumer areas to meet future demands, optimizing performance indexes associated to operational goals such as economic cost, safety storage volumes in the network and smoothness of the flow control actions. The designed management strategies are applied to a model of a real case study: the drinking water transport network of Barcelona (Spain).