Challenges and Opportunities in Water Supply
Climate change, rising energy prices, tightening legislation, growing population, and increased resource use per capita are the issues that the water supply sector is currently facing. Automated systems that enhance operational efficiency are the only way to meet the modern demands of the industry. However, despite the growing demand, the question arises: what future awaits one of the key automation products - variable frequency drives?
Matt Handley, product manager for drive systems at Mitsubishi Electric UK, explains how drive technology can be beneficial in an industry where equipment typically operates for 25 years and can run reliably for a century or more.
Modern Challenges of Water Supply
Today's generations have begun to realize that water is a limited resource, not a free gift from nature. This has led to the necessity to upgrade outdated and inefficient water supply systems. Improving efficiency and resource conservation have become primary tasks for the water purification sector.
With the simultaneous increase of the urban population around the world, there is a growing need for providing clean drinking water and treating larger volumes of wastewater. Weather conditions are becoming less stable, which will also affect the reliability of traditional water sources.
Paths to Increasing Efficiency
To achieve efficiency goals, it is necessary to:
- reduce water losses when transporting it from collection areas to usage points;
- make water pumping less energy-consuming and more cost-effective;
- develop new wastewater treatment methods to reduce resource consumption.
One option is to use wastewater byproducts for energy production, which helps to reduce energy costs.
The Role of Frequency Inverters
Frequency inverters are viewed as a key technology that helps reduce resource costs. They were initially designed to enhance the efficiency of industrial processes but can also significantly reduce the energy consumption of motors, which is critically important for water supply.
The main requirements for specialized equipment are:
- long service life;
- robust construction;
- reliable components.
Automated systems can monitor water supply and consumption volumes, as well as permissible pressure fluctuations, which significantly reduces losses due to leaks.
Modern Developments in Water Supply Automation
Control systems for frequency inverters can help address specific water supply issues, such as hydraulic shock and blockage removal. Automatic systems can perform self-diagnosis and transmit results wirelessly to the technical department, saving time and resources for your staff.
Using frequency inverters allows for smooth pump starts, ensuring control over pressure fluctuations. It is also important that modern electric drives can autonomously clean pipelines, providing optimal conditions for system operation.
Conclusion
Today, frequency inverters are one of the key technologies for achieving success in the water supply sector. Mitsubishi Electric has recently launched a series of intelligent variable frequency drives FR-F800 for pumps and fans, specifically designed to meet all the demands of water supply.