Energy management challenges in the automation of a water transfer pumping station

In support of the electricity shortages of Eskom, an energy management project was undertaken by HVAC International at Rietfontein pump station. Before the start of the project the power-demand baseline indicated that an average potential peak time power savings of 3.2 MW could be achieved. These savings were comfortably achieved by installing new control equipment and automating/improving the control philosophy. This article highlights the technical and control philosophy challenges faced in successfully completing this DSM project. The control at Rietfontein pump station is very unique and is designed to operate three pumps at once. The station is designed according to the pipeline characteristics and to ensure that it is correctly charged while transferring the water. The major challenge was to automate the pump station according to the existing DWA control philosophy and that these pumps should be able to communicate to each other.