Fuzzy-based methodology for evaluation of energy efficiency in rice irrigation systems

The main objective of this work is to create a tool to evaluate electrical energy efficiency of irrigated rice crops, creating an index of efficiency and an estimative of possible energy savings that supports power utilities to prioritize the allocation of energy efficiency resources on this kind of consumers. This tool could also help rural producers to avoid extra electricity costs and to reduce water consumption. The proposed methodology is developed through a rule-based Fuzzy algorithm that translates the opinion of specialists at meteorology, soil and rice cultivation. The algorithm considers a wide number of variables, including farm characteristics, meteorological data, and operation conditions of the irrigation system. In addition, the proposed tool is capable to identify possible situations of non-technical losses occurrence. Results demonstrated the tool's proper operation, indicating four cases with index of great inefficiency, along with possible energy savings between 33% and 42%, and five cases with non-technical losses possibility indication.