Modeling and Optimization of Pumps Scheduling Considering the Time-of-use Electricity Tariff

This study mainly addresses a pumping station operation problem with the constraints of the wet well water level and water demand, with the goal of minimizing both the energy costs of the pumping station and the start-stop times of a single pump. Four models are proposed to deal with the problem as: (a) a general optimal control model; (b) an optimal control model with time-of-use electricity tariff; (c) an optimal control model with total start-stop times of pumps; and (d) an optimal control model with start-stop times of a single pump. Furthermore, CPLEX optimization software is used to solve the four models. Four models are validated and evaluated based on a typical intake pump station equipped with fixed speed pumps. Experimental results indicate that the optimal control model with start-stop times of a single pump can provide optimal solutions for pumping station management than the other three methods.