Deploying Water Treatment Energy Flexibility in Power Distribution Systems Operation

As the global demand for freshwater resources continues to grow at a fast pace, energy costs associated with treating and distributing water in urban areas are projected to increase. A promising solution to enhance the efficiency and reduce these costs is to coordinate the operation of water systems with power distribution systems operation. In this paper, we propose an optimization framework which integrates the energy flexibility of water treatment, desalination and distribution systems in power distribution systems operation. In the proposed framework, a water distribution system operator (W-DSO) co-optimizes the operation of variable speed pumps and water storage tanks in water treatment, desalination and distribution systems for minimizing its daily energy costs, given the expected water demand and energy tariffs. The optimized energy flexibility of W-DSO is then incorporated in the operation of power distribution systems. The proposed framework takes into account the operational constraints of both power and water distribution networks, thus co-optimizing their operation without endangering the reliable supply of power and water to customers. Simulation results demonstrate the merits of the proposed model in enhancing the economic efficiency of the test 15-node water network supplied by a 33-bus power distribution system.