WP5

Objective
Work Package 5 aims to define, implement, and validate strategic management actions for Water Networks (WNs) and Irrigation Systems (ISs), with a particular focus on improving operational efficiency, leak detection, energy recovery, and water allocation under drought and climate change (CC) scenarios.ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ
Methodology
WP5 integrates outputs from WP3 (seasonal forecasts) and WP4 (digital twins) to:
– Analyze system behavior under projected climate scenarios
– Define and test pressure control and demand management strategies – Optimize irrigation schedules and resource allocation
– Detect faults and anomalies through advanced monitoring tools
Specific technical actions include:
– Use of Pressure Reducing Valves (PRVs) to stabilize pressure and avoid surges
– Transient-based techniques (TTBTs) to identify leaks and network inefficiencies
– Integration of SPAC-based models to assess and balance crop water needs with actual water supply
– Development of vulnerability indices to inform emergency responses and long-term planning
Field Validation:
– Testbed 2 (TB2): For lab-scale validation of pressure and fault control techniques
– Pilot Systems 2 and 3 (PS2, PS3): Real-world testing of proposed management strategies and fault detection protocolsㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ
Workplan Overview
Lead Beneficiary: AcegasApsAmga (AAA)
Specific Objectives (SO): 7, 8, 11
Tasks:
– T5.1: Assessment of the forecasted scenarios in the digital twin of the considered WNs and ISs (UNIPG_DICA)
– T5.2: Optimizing the pressure control (e.g., by PRVs) (AAA)
– T5.3: Fault detection by TTBTs (UNIPG_DICA)
– T5.4: Identification of causes of withdrawal anomalies in ISs (UNIPG_DA)
– T5.5: Identification of simple indexes of vulnerability (UNIPG_DA)
– T5.6: Application of the proposed strategies to TB2, PS2 and PS3 (AAA)
Milestones:
– M12: The WNs and ISs pressure control will be optimized
– M13: Fault and withdrawal anomaly detection will be performed
– M14: Indexes of vulnerability will be obtained
– M15: Management strategies for PS2 and PS3 will be identified
Deliverables:
D5.1: Report on the diagnosis of WNs and ISs
D5.2: Report on the proposed indexes of vulnerability
D5.3: Report on the management strategies proposed for the selected case studiesㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ
Expected Outputs
– Operational guidelines for water and energy-efficient WNs and ISs
– Identification of best practices for pressure control and leak mitigation
– A framework for adapting water infrastructure to CC-driven challenges
– Improved allocation strategies to reduce water scarcity and crop stressㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ
Connections to Other WPs
– Leverages hydrological forecasts from WP3
– Builds on the digital simulation environments created in WP4
– Provides validated strategies for WP6 (governance models) and dissemination in WP7ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ
WP5 translates predictive insights and simulation tools into actionable management improvements, enhancing the operational resilience and sustainability of urban and agricultural water systems.