Optimal scheduling method for pressurized pumping stations with structural improvement

Against the backdrop of global energy shortages, reducing the electricity consumption costs of water supply pump stations is crucial for the operational efficiency of the water industry. This study introduces an energy-saving structural improvement for pump stations that utilizes low pressure from municipal pipeline networks, potentially saving 20 %–30 % of electricity annually for pressurized pump stations. Addressing challenges such as reservoir scheduling and poor supply stability of pump groups due to fluctuations in water pipe pressures and flows, this research develops a water intake pipe characteristic curve cluster model based on the Bernoulli equation . This model allocates pressure head and flow in the water intake pipe. Subsequently, a comprehensive scheduling strategy for reservoir levels and pump group energy consumption (CSRE) is proposed, outlining the planning of water intake pipe flow for the next 24 h and the supply flow of each pump. The CSRE optimization problem is solved using an improved multi-layer improved artificial bee colony algorithm. Results show that compared to existing strategies, the CSRE strategy proposed reduces the operational electricity consumption of this structural improved pump station by 9.34 %. Moreover, it increases the storage volume in the reservoirs by 10.4 % and 17.65 %, respectively, before peak periods, allowing the pump station to store more water to meet peak water demand. The CSRE strategy achieves approximately 21.22 % more energy savings compared to traditional pump stations. • Utilizing MPN residual pressure to improve pumping station for energy conservation. • Propose a modeling method for water intake pipe characteristic curve cluster model. • Comprehensive Scheduling of Reservoir Water Levels and Pump Group Energy Consumption. • Propose a multi-layer improved ABC algorithm to solve the CSRE strategy. • Analyze three sources of energy savings for the CSRE strategy.