The project focuses on optimizing energy efficiency in groundwater abstraction for Aguas de Alicante, adapting real-time monitoring technology to audit well efficiency and reduce energy costs. Implemented in ten wells, the initiative aims to save approximately 1,934,405 kWh per year, translating to about 260,000 euros in savings. The approach includes assessing pump conditions, efficiencies, and provides comprehensive data reporting for better management and maintenance.

1. ENERGY EFFICIENCY OPTIMIZATION OF
GROUNDWATER ABSTRACTION
Juan Ayanz, Ignacio Casals – Aguas de Alicante
Jose Francisco Caro – Suez Water Advanced Solutions

2. Context
Need for
energy
optimization
monitoring
solutions
Groundwater covers
approximately 50%
of drinking water
world needs.
Energy-intensive
process
Many factors
involved
(hydrogeological,
hydraulic,
mechanical,
electrical)
Lack of reliable
information

3. The case of Aguas de Alicante
• SE of Spain, classified as semi-arid
• High hydraulic stress, seasonal
consumption peaks
• No local surface water resources
• Groundwater accounts for almost
50% of the supply (20 wells)
• Groundwater abstraction means the
highest energy bill for the company
• Technology development project
launched in association with Suez
Advanced Solutions
Hydraulic stress in Spain’s main river basins

4. Objectives
Develop a smart equipment able to perform a real time, continuous
audit of the well efficiency considering all its components
Requirements
Remote reporting and
setting of parameters
High precision and time
resolution
Low maintenance
Able to monitor:
Aquifer state
Well condition
Pump efficiency
Electrical installation

5. Components
Water level
meter (bubbling
method)1
Pressure gauge
Temperature
gauge
Flow meter
Electric Quality
Analyser
Industrial
embedded PC
Router
1Patented
IDroSmartwell

6. Main Results
• Continuous groundwater levels (static,
dynamic, drawdown and recovery)
• Operating flow measurement
• Specific capacity and well losses
• Real time hydraulic, electrical and
electromechanical parameters
• Pump working point and curves
• Hydraulic and electrical demanded power
• Pump efficiency ratios and losses
• Electricity costs and losses due to inefficiency
Water
Production
management,
Maintenance
and Operation

7. Energy efficiency and data synchronization
0.0030
0.0035
0.0040
0.0045
0.0050
0.0055
0.0060
01-01-08
31-12-08
31-12-09
01-01-11
01-01-12
kwh/m3/m
Date
Non-
synchronized
measurements
?
¿
Study of the
energy efficiency
evolution through
the indicator
Kwh/m3/m

8. Energy efficiency and data synchronization
Study of the
energy efficiency
evolution through
the indicator
Kwh/m3/m
0.0030
0.0035
0.0040
0.0045
0.0050
0.0055
0.0060
01-01-08
31-12-08
31-12-09
01-01-11
01-01-12
?
¿
kwh/m3/m
Repair
Non-
synchronized
measurements
Synchronized
measurements

9. Piezometric level control
San Pelayo well
Santa Rita well
San Cristobal well
Irrigation well

10. Piezometric level control
Level
evolution

11. Piezometric level control
Sta. Rita well
starts
Sta. Rita &
San Pelayo
wells stop
Irrigation
well stops
San Pelayo
well starts
San Pelayo
well start
Irrigation well
starts
Sta. Rita well
starts
San Pelayo
well stops
San Cristóbal
well stops
Irrigation
well stops
San Cristóbal
starts
Level
evolution

12. Water production efficiency: Level optimization

13. Water production efficiency: Level optimization
Level increase = 3 m.
Drawdown = 18 m.
Drawdown < 0,5 m.Drawdown = 1 m.
Level increase = 2 m.
SL = -239 m.
SL = -242 m.
SL = -237 m.

14. Water production efficiency: Critical flow
Critical flow
Characteristic curve of the well

15. Water production efficiency: Critical Flow
Drawdown much lower than
stable dinamic level
Ascent higher than
Static level
Static level
Stable dinamic level
Static level t > 4 h.
There is a deficient connection between the well and the aquifer: the coefficient of
losses of the well is too high for this flow (low critical flow).

16. Curve of Accumulated cost overrun (€)
Accumulativecostoverrundueto
inefficiency
Date
Maintenance optimization

17. Cost Overrun Limit
(11.500 €)
Curve of Accumulated cost overrun (€)
Date
Accumulativecostoverrundueto
inefficiency
Maintenance optimization

18. Cost Overrun Limit
(11.500 €)
Curve of Accumulated cost overrun (€)
Date
Accumulativecostoverrundueto
inefficiency
Maintenance optimization

19. Cost Overrun Limit
(11.500 €)
Curve of Accumulated cost overrun (€)
Date
Accumulativecostoverrundueto
inefficiency
Maintenance optimization

20. Cost Overrun Limit
(11.500 €)
Curve of Accumulated cost overrun (€)
Date
Accumulativecostoverrundueto
inefficiency
Maintenance optimization

21. Optimal date
for intervention
Repair cost not recovered Excess energy costs
Cost Overrun Limit
(11.500 €)
Curve of Accumulated cost overrun (€)
Date
Accumulativecostoverrundueto
inefficiency
Maintenance optimization

22. Optimal date
for intervention
Repair cost not recovered Excess energy costs
Cost Overrun Limit
(11.500 €)
Curve of Accumulated cost overrun (€)
Actual intervention
Date
Accumulativecostoverrundueto
inefficiency
Maintenance optimization

23. Optimal date
for intervention
Repair cost not recovered Excess energy costs
Cost Overrun Limit
(11.500 €)
Curve of Accumulated cost overrun (€)
Actual intervention
Date
Accumulativecostoverrundueto
inefficiency
Maintenance optimization

24. 0,0035
0,0037
0,0039
0,0041
0,0043
0,0045
0,0047
0,0049
0,0051
0 500.000 1.000.000 1.500.000 2.000.000 2.500.000 3.000.000 3.500.000
Accumulated Volume (m3)
First Pump
kw/m3/m
Quantitative Assessment of pump condition and repairs

25. y = 8,52000846E-11x + 4,25486485E-03
0,0035
0,0037
0,0039
0,0041
0,0043
0,0045
0,0047
0,0049
0,0051
0 500.000 1.000.000 1.500.000 2.000.000 2.500.000 3.000.000 3.500.000
Accumulated Volume (m3)
First Pump
kw/m3/m
Quantitative Assessment of pump condition and repairs

26. y = 8,52000846E-11x + 4,25486485E-03
0,0035
0,0037
0,0039
0,0041
0,0043
0,0045
0,0047
0,0049
0,0051
0 500.000 1.000.000 1.500.000 2.000.000 2.500.000 3.000.000 3.500.000
Quantification
of the pump's wear
Quantification
of the repair’s quality
Accumulated Volume (m3)
First Pump
kw/m3/m
Quantitative Assessment of pump condition and repairs

27. y = 8,52000846E-11x + 4,25486485E-03
0,0035
0,0037
0,0039
0,0041
0,0043
0,0045
0,0047
0,0049
0,0051
0 500.000 1.000.000 1.500.000 2.000.000 2.500.000 3.000.000 3.500.000
Accumulated Volume (m3)
First Pump
Original Situation
kw/m3/m
Second pump
Quantitative Assessment of pump condition and repairs

28. y = 5,59133898E-11x + 4,28489613E-03
y = 8,52000846E-11x + 4,25486485E-03
0,0035
0,0037
0,0039
0,0041
0,0043
0,0045
0,0047
0,0049
0,0051
0 500.000 1.000.000 1.500.000 2.000.000 2.500.000 3.000.000 3.500.000
Accumulated Volume (m3)
First Pump
Original Situation
kw/m3/m
Second pump
Quantitative Assessment of pump condition and repairs

29. y = 5,59133898E-11x + 4,28489613E-03
y = 8,52000846E-11x + 4,25486485E-03
0,0035
0,0037
0,0039
0,0041
0,0043
0,0045
0,0047
0,0049
0,0051
0 500.000 1.000.000 1.500.000 2.000.000 2.500.000 3.000.000 3.500.000
Accumulated Volume (m3)
First Pump
Original Situation
First Repair
kw/m3/m
Second pump
Quantitative Assessment of pump condition and repairs

30. y = 5,59133898E-11x + 4,28489613E-03
y = 7,26023030E-11x + 4,21630977E-03
y = 8,52000846E-11x + 4,25486485E-03
0,0035
0,0037
0,0039
0,0041
0,0043
0,0045
0,0047
0,0049
0,0051
0 500.000 1.000.000 1.500.000 2.000.000 2.500.000 3.000.000 3.500.000
Accumulated Volume (m3)
First Pump
Original Situation
First Repair
kw/m3/m
Second pump
Quantitative Assessment of pump condition and repairs

31. The case of Aguas de Alicante: results
• The system was implemented
in 10 wells
• Estimated Savings:
• 1,934,405 Kwh per year
( 20%)
• 260,000 €
• Implementation in all wells
under way

32. Stages of groundwater abstraction management
Manual,
básico
Errática y
elemental
Ausente o
esporádico
Ausencia
EQUIPMENT MEASUREMENT CONTROL SOFTWARE OBJECTIVES
Obsoleto Ausencia Ausencia AusenciaObsolete Absent Absent Absent
Only demand
fulfillment
Manual,
basic
Occasional and
basic
Absent or
sporadic
Absent
Fulfill demand,
basic protection
Esporádico,
In situ
Manual,
in situ
Básic
o
Mantenimient
o correctivo
Automático
, in situ
Sporadic, In
situ
Manual,
in situ
Basic
Corrective
Maintenance
Automatic,
in situ
Automático,
telecontrolado
Automática,
descoordinada
Exhaustivo,
impreciso
Evolucionado Mantenimient
o preventivo
Automatic,
remote control
Automatic,
asynchronous
Exhaustive,
Non precise
Evolved Preventive
Maintenance
Avanzado,
específico,
IdroSmartWell
Automática,
coordinada
Exhaustivo,
preciso
Avanzado,
específico y/o
propio
Mantenimient
o preventivo
y/o predictivo
Advanced,
specific,
IdroSmartWell
Automatic,
Synchronized
Exhaustive,
precise
Advanced,
specific
Predictive
Maintenance

33. jfcarom@aquatec.es
ignacio.casals@aguasdealicante.es