Resilience implications of energy storage in urban water systems

Abstract

Additional water storage is modeled in concentrated and distributed configurations in a case study water distribution system model of Cleveland, Tennessee, U.S.A. This is done to understand: if there are energy generation capabilities from increased storage, and if new water demand modeled to represent a doubling population can be supported by additional water storage. Model outputs show that the distributed water storage configuration increases water system resiliency to population growth, meeting doubled water demand. The concentrated storage configuration cannot meet doubled water demand, due to the inability of the design to manage pressure and deliver water across the space-and-time continuum. Both scenarios are unable to meet water demands and maintain pressures while also generating energy. This research concludes that the primary motivation for adding additional water storage (e.g., for energy generation or to withstand chronic population growth) should determine additional tank locations and configurations.