Sizing optimization in Solar Photovoltaic Water Pumping System: model validation in a pilot unit located in the rural community of Rio Belo, Orleans/SC, Brazil

ABSTRACT The management of water and energy resources are the main challenges that contemporary society faces nowadays. Water and energy are fundamental factors for socio-economic development of the communities, especially those in remote locations, and in this case the lack of energy is the most worrying aspect. Solar photovoltaic pumping systems have advantages for insertion in isolated communities, such as easy installation and low maintenance during the life cycle, but inappropriate sizing can create unnecessary costs or affect the water supply. Simulating performance favors the system’s sizing and allows achieving technical and economic optimization of these technology projects. This study proposes a mathematical model of simulation, use of the Generalized Reduced Gradient (GRG), solar radiation regional data, and water consumption, wells’ productivity and pumping system capacity to obtain this optimization. The model was validated in a pilot system, located in a rural community in the city of Orleans, State of Santa Catarina, Brazil. The place has one of the lowest average annual radiation in the country, approximately 4.5 kWh / m2.day. The simulation performed in the natural pilot system conditions presented results very close to the monitored behavior, thus demonstrating its efficiency. Using this tool assists in the decision-making process in designing projects and benefits the communities with access to water and energy, bringing benefits in all spheres: social, environmental and economic.

摘要 水资源与能源资源管理是当代社会面临的核心挑战。水与能源是社区，尤其是偏远地区社区社会经济发展的基础要素，而能源短缺问题尤为令人担忧。太阳能光伏抽水系统在偏远社区推广具备显著优势，例如安装便捷、全生命周期维护成本低，但选型不当可能引发不必要的成本支出，或对供水保障造成负面影响。性能模拟有助于开展系统选型，实现此类技术项目的技术与经济优化。本研究提出一款数学模拟模型，结合广义简约梯度法（Generalized Reduced Gradient，GRG）、区域太阳辐射数据、需水量、井的产水量与抽水系统容量，以达成上述优化目标。该模型已在巴西圣卡塔琳娜州奥尔良市某乡村社区的试点系统中得到验证，该区域为巴西年均辐射水平最低的区域之一，年均辐射量约为4.5千瓦时/平方米·日。在真实试点系统工况下开展的模拟结果与监测得到的系统运行行为高度吻合，证实了模型的有效性。运用该工具可辅助项目设计阶段的决策流程，助力社区获取水与能源资源，在社会、环境与经济各维度均能带来切实效益。