Irrigation Archives - Easy Hydro

Easy Hydro collaborates in international research to maximize energy recovery from irrigation pipe networks

Posted on April 3, 2023April 4, 2023 by Easy Hydro team

Easy Hydro has collaborated in an international research investigation together with members of the University of Naples (Italy), University of Cordoba (Spain) and Trinity College Dublin (Ireland). The research explored optimal locations for the selection of Pumps As turbines (PATs) to recover energy within branched pressurized networks.

New mixed integer non-linear models were developed and a global optimization solver employed. These methods were then applied to a case-study network located in Andalusia in Southern Spain. Among the whole pipe system distributed across 2691 ha, the optimal solution consisted of 5 PATs capable of producing around 289 MWh per year (despite the seasonal nature of the irrigation).

Plant curve: trend of the total head drop versus the total discharge within the branches selected for pumps as turbines installation.

This research reflects the commitment of Easy Hydro towards innovation and towards sustainable energy solutions enhancing the energy efficiency of water-intensive sectors.

The paper, titled “Exploring the optimal location of pumps as turbines within branched irrigation networks by global optimization”, is available at the link: https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1029/2022WR033317

New control system: a more robust, reliable and resilient solution for our turbines

Posted on May 16, 2022May 16, 2022 by Easy Hydro team

During the last weeks, our team has been testing a new control system for the operation of our Pumps as Turbines (PATs). As a company build out from many years of research, R&D remains one of our main pillars. In this case, the new control system will offer a more robust solution for our hydropower equipment. Additionally, it will increase the peak efficiency of the system whilst reducing maintenance. It will also enable us to offer a fully integrated cloud monitoring interface, where the operator can visualize and download historical data.
The tests were successfully completed on the laboratory test rig, confirming the technical feasibility of the new control equipment, as well as satisfying all the safety conditions for the right operation of the equipment.
The tested control panel will actually be installed in one of our coming installations soon.

Energy recovery from on-demand irrigation networks: an opportunity to reduce the energy demand and bring electricity to remote places

Posted on November 24, 2020November 24, 2020 by Easy Hydro team

The modernization of hydraulic infrastructure in irrigation, from traditional channels and ditches to pressurized networks, has led to significant improvement of the water efficiency (conveyance and consumption). Nevertheless, this fact brought a dramatic increase of the energy consumption, causing impacts on farming margins and operational costs.

On-demand irrigation networks have the main advantage of offering continuous water availability, giving a great flexibility to farmers for irrigating. However, the occurrence of areas with excess pressure, which must be dissipated in some way, has become more frequent. Micro-hydropower turbines for energy recovery arise as an attractive solution to counteract the negative impacts due to the high energy cost of the process. Given the seasonality of the activity, cost-effective solutions are in dire need and hydropower stands out as a technology capable of bringing electricity to remote places with no grid connection where an excessive water pressure to be dissipated within an irrigation pipe.