Realizing low-energy drip irrigation via a 1-dimensional model of low-pressure drip emitters

Low-energy drip irrigation (LE-DI) is an avenue toward affordable, water-efficient agricultural intensification in developing markets, but its realization is constrained by a lack of design theory for its underpinning component - low-pressure emitters (LPEs). Emitters are flow regulation devices inserted into drip tubes at every plant and drive system energy costs through their high operating pressure. LPEs can reduce energy costs, but a reliance on time-consuming and expensive simulation software and empirical trial-and-error in design processes prevents their realization. We derive a 1-dimensional model of emitter physics that is dramatically faster than conventional tools (2-3 min. vs. 100-1000's of hours) without sacrificing accuracy and demonstrate its use by designing LPEs having 50-60% lesser activation pressure than conventional emitters. Through farmer interviews in the Jordan River Valley, a beachhead market for LE-DI, we estimate that these LPEs could reduce energy consumption on typical farms by up to 18-23%. The 1D emitter model serves as an early-stage design tool for LPEs that can make LE-DI a more affordable and sustainable irrigation technology in developing markets.