Halcrow has developed an innovative and integrated suite of solutions for optimization in the planning and design, operation and control, and maintenance planning of water supply and distribution systems as well as for the optimisation of operating individual pump stations.
ENCOMS (Energy Cost Minimization System) is an adaptive optimization software system for operational control of water distribution networks. It uses advanced prediction and optimization techniques based on genetic algorithms (GA). ENCOMS provides a practical tool for water utilities to improve operating efficiency of pumps to minimize energy costs and the environmental impact while maintaining production requirements and operational constraints.
It is a software system that operates online and in real time in conjunction with the SCADA system to optimize water distribution pump scheduling and valve setting. ENCOMS responds to changes in demand or system conditions rapidly, typically generating updated 24-hour operations schedule within minutes.
- Utilises an artificial neural network methodology to analyse the complete hydraulic network, from sources through to treatment systems, transmission and distribution
- Applies genetic algorithms to derive and continuously update in real time optimal pump and valve operation schedules
- Leverages priority utilisation of most cost-effective water sources and treatment facilities as well as load shifting to off-peak electricity periods and containing demand charges
- ENCOMS can accommodate multiple water sources and treatment facilities with no limitation on number of storage facilities and demand points within the transmission and distribution systems
- Computes optimised solution within physical and operational constraints of the system while maintaining production demands
- Can accommodate operator input for scheduling downtime of system facilities including individual pumps, pump arrays, and complete pump stations
CAPCOMS (Capital Cost Minimization System) is an adaptive optimization software system for the optimal design of water distribution networks. It represents the state of the art in water network optimization empowered by genetic algorithms (GA) combined with network hydraulic modelling.
CAPCOMS provides a fully automated approach to reliable and efficient pipe network design optimization. It utilises a highly advanced GA optimisation technology closely coupled with network hydraulic modelling for maximum efficiency and accuracy and provides an effective and practical tool to optimize design or upgrade of treatment and distribution systems and improve their reliability and integrity at reduced costs.
- Automate sizing of new and parallel pipes
- Compare hundreds of thousands of solutions in an organized and efficient way
- Save time by eliminating tedious trial-and-error methods
- Improve confidence by expanding design options
- Maintain flexibility in defining boundary conditions
MACOMS – (Maintenance Cost Minimization System) is an adaptive optimization software system for determining the optimal set of intervention/maintenance options for an inter-dependent asset system. It utilises a highly advanced GA optimization technology closely coupled with whole life, cost/benefit and provides an effective and practical tool to improve the reliability of the asset systems at reduced risk.
- Innovation approach to a complex asset system related multi-dimensional problem
- Identification of the optimum mix of investments to deliver a desired level of service with substantial cost savings
- Compliance with UKWIR Capital Maintenance Planning Common Framework
- Seamless integration into Microsoft Excel and SQL database
- Robust GA optimization engine
Key features and benefits:
- A powerful optimization technique that utilises industry standard optimisation methodologies. The suite of optimisation solutions offers robust, efficient, and cost-effective solutions that could not be achieved conventionally
- Has the capacity to simultaneously include multiple facilities and operational constraints within the optimisation procedure
- ENCOMS real time methodology maintains the versatility to dynamically refine the optimisation schedule to adapt in real time and to accommodate ever-changing site conditions such as availability of a pump station or storage tank and demand driven requirements
- ENCOMS - Savings of approximately 20% on energy costs
- CAPCOMS – Saving up to 45% of capital cost
- MACOMS – Saving up to 20% of maintenance cost