New Approach to Urban Water Distribution System Modeling and Software Development

Transcription

1 Slide 1 New Approach to Urban Water Distribution System Modeling and Software Development Robert Janke (EPA/ORD/NHSRC) Michael Tryby (EPA/ORD/NRMRL) Briefing to U.S. EPA s Executive Council Date: TBD The title of our talk today is New Approach to Urban Water Distribution System Modeling and Software Development. Please recognize my co-author Michael Tryby from NRMRL. For approximately the last five years Michael and I and Lewis Rossman have collaborated closely on EPANET development.

2 Slide 2 Outline What is EPANET-RTX? Why are real-time analytics important? Background on EPANET A closer look at EPANET-RTX Other applications for real-time analytics Path forward for EPANET and EPANET-RTX 1 Here is a brief outline that I will be following for today s briefing. I will introduce EPANET-RTX and describe why real-time analytics are important. I will then provide some background on EPANET. Next, I will take a closer look at EPANET-RTX, talk about other applications for real-time analytics, and finish with a path forward discussion on both EPANET and EPANET-RTX.

3 Slide 3 What Is EPANET-RTX? EPANET-RTX brings together modeling and data in a new and powerful way Real-time EPANET Analytical software tools to integrate network model with SCADA operational data Real-time analytics for automated and routine capability to: Forecast Hind cast Simulate response actions Continuous graphical data comparison and analysis between model and SCADA outputs 2 What is EPANET-RTX? EPANET-RTX or Real-time EPANET brings together modeling and data in a new and powerful way. While many water utilities (large and small) have invested heavily in data and information, such as Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, geographic information systems (GIS), and network infrastructure models, these investments have generally not been leveraged in a manner that supports needed utility decision making. Decision making that begins with accurate and reliable model predictions. Gigabytes of real-time sensor data representing years of pressure, flow, tank level, pump status, and water quality are typically stored in a database, but often never used or accessed. Divorced from these data, it is difficult to have an accurate and reliable network infrastructure model or most importantly a real-time understanding of what is happening in the water system. Real-time EPANET is software for building real-time hydraulic and water quality modeling environments. Real-time EPANET brings real-time analytics to water distribution system modeling, planning, and operations. Here at the top right of the slide is our Real-time EPANET logo signifying modeling with real data. Below the logo is the cover page from our recently released utility case study report documenting the application of the Real-time EPANET technologies to a large and complicated water system. Real-time analytics uses real-time sensor data to provide the ability to better understand what has happened in the system and also what could happen in the system after some event or emergency.

4 Slide 4 Planning & Data Analysis Identify network model infrastructure errors Identify SCADA data errors, sensor failures, and equipment failures (e.g. valve failures) Routine Operations Flushing and pipe rehabilitation Water quality management (disinfectant management) Improve water conservation (identify leaks) Emergency Preparedness and Response Improved contamination event detection (50% decrease in event detection concentration) Respond to contamination events more effectively (WV river spill) Why Are Real-Time Analytics Important? Identify model and data errors Contamination identification & response 3 What can we do with real-time analytics that we can t do now? There are numerous examples. The application areas that are ripe for using real-time analytics range from Planning and Data Analysis to Emergency Preparedness and Response. Real-time analytics can be used to identify network model problems, real-time sensor data errors, and help improve routine operations (e.g., flushing strategies, disinfectant management and more accurately identify the locations of leaks in the distribution system). While NHSRC has developed important water system security tools, for instance tools for contamination consequence assessment, sensor placement optimization, and contamination warning event detection, these tools cannot be fully effective without real-time analytics. It was just a year ago this January that an accidental industrial spill in Charleston, WV lead to 300,000 water system customers and many businesses not having tap water to use for any purpose drinking, flushing toilets, food preparation, etc.) for over a week. Weeks later, many still did not trust the safety of their tap water. Real-time analytics offers water utilities the ability to more accurately identify when contamination has entered the water system, where it entered the system, and, most importantly, the valuable information to enable timely and effective response.

5 Slide 5 Background on EPANET EPANET is a software program designed to simulate hydraulics and water quality in water distribution systems and is available at The software was developed in ORD/NRMRL (Lewis Rossman) and the source code was released into the public domain. An active community has grown around EPANET. EPANET was designed and developed to function as a stand-alone software program for performing hydraulic and water quality modeling. Screen shot of EPANET 4 EPANET is a software program designed to simulate hydraulics and water quality in water distribution systems. EPANET was developed by Lew Rossman of NRMRL. EPANET is an easy to use program that is available on EPA s website for performing hydraulic and water quality modeling of water distribution systems, pressurized pipe systems. Along with the easy to use, graphical user interface program, Lew also developed the EPANET Programmer s Toolkit, which is also available for download. It is within this toolkit that the hydraulic and water quality simulation engines can be accessed and harnessed for other applications. An active user community has grown around EPANET, with thousands of downloads per month, EPANET is used world-wide and is the platform for the top two commercial software vendors for water distribution system modeling: Innovyze and Bentley. But EPANET, like most other water distribution system modeling software programs, performs modeling as off-line modeling, that is, modeling performed by the engineer or modeler using a stand-alone description of the water distribution system, disconnected from any real-time sensor data. For instance, when using EPANET, the standalone description of the network infrastructure model is contained in the EPANET based file describing the water system. The description of the water distribution system includes all the information needed for modeling, e.g., information on water use (demands), operations (e.g., when valves open or close), and time specification parameters for running an EPANET simulation.

6 Slide 6 Background on EPANET Cont d (NHSRC s involvement with EPANET) NHSRC began funding EPANET-based applications and extensions in 2003 as part of its efforts to develop water security tools and improve the security of water systems NHSRC funded EPANET applications and extensions include: TEVA-SPOT, EPANET-MSX, EPANET-BTX, and EPANET-RTX NHSRC is currently funding development of a new water quality algorithm for EPANET 5 NHSRC began funding EPANET-based applications and extensions in 2003 as part of its efforts to develop water security tools. These tools, e.g., NHSRC s Threat Ensemble Vulnerability Assessment Sensor Placement Optimization Tool (TEVA-SPOT), uses the EPANET Programmer s toolkit to access the hydraulic and water quality simulation engines for exposure, consequence assessment and sensor placement optimization. EPANET-MSX is the multi-species extension to EPANET that allows the water quality analysis of multiple, interacting species. EPANET-BTX is a contamination back tracking tool. And, of course EPANET-RTX, the focus of today s presentation.

7 Slide 7 Background on EPANET Cont d (Development: Past & Future) EPANET development and maintenance has been too slow due to lack of resources: Official EPANET releases too far apart Outdated system for tracking and resolving problems and maintaining consistency with EPANET applications EPANET integrated with application development (e.g., EPANET- RTX) development Collaboration is critical: Extramural contracts Water community Soon to be established National Center for Sustainable Water Infrastructure Modeling Research 6 Lew first released EPANET 1.1 in EPANET 2.0 was released in There has not been an update to EPANET since Up until 2004, All EPANET development was done in house by Lew Rossman. There was no EPANET application development being done by EPA and there was no extramural support directed to EPANET development. As shown on previous slide, NHSRC started funding extramural EPANET development in 2003 to support the development of water security software tools. However, between 2003 and 2012, additional extramural support was needed to maintain consistency between official EPANET versions and the EPANET version being included in the water security applications. Seven plus years since the last official update to EPANET is unacceptable! Repeated funding to maintain consistency between stand-alone EPANET and the EPANET in water security applications is not only inefficient but uses an outdated approach to software development! What is needed is an integrated development approach for EPANET and its applications. That is, an open approach to software development. An approach that is agile, dynamic, and integrated. A software development approach that is done in a coordinated manner, one that is responsive to the realities of modern software development practices. Collaboration is critical. Collaboration between internal EPANET development efforts, extramural development efforts, water community development efforts, and the soon-to-be-established National Center for Sustainable Water Infrastructure Modeling and Research.

8 Slide 8 A Closer Look at EPANET-RTX (History) NHSRC began funding EPANET-RTX in October, 2008 More recent years, the EPA s Cincinnati Water Technology Innovation Cluster has been instrumental in providing additional funding for EPANET-RTX EPANET-RTX technologies have been pilot tested and demonstrated at the Northern Kentucky Water District and Greater Cincinnati Water Works The EPANET-RTX open source project ( was announced to the water community on September 24, In the next few slides, we take a closer look at Real-Time EPANET development and also how Real-Time EPANET works. The development of Real-Time EPANET began in Both NHSRC and the EPA s Water Technology Innovation Cluster have provided support to the development of Real-Time EPANET. The Real-Time EPANET technologies have been field tested at both the NKWD and GCWW. The establishment of the open source project for EPANET-RTX completed the Research Action Plan (RAP) deliverable under A.3.1.1, Real-time modeling to improve operations, for fiscal year 2012.

9 Slide 9 A Closer Look Cont d (How does EPANET-RTX work?) SCADA tags Model IDs Water Utility SCADA Historian Water Utility Network Model (representing ~ 350,000 people) Noisy Time Series Transformations Smooth Time Series 8 How does EPANET-RTX work? Real-Time EPANET software works by providing access to different technologies that are foundational to real-time modeling. These technologies involve accessing available utility data (data from realtime sensors) and effectively using it to run a hydraulic and water quality model. Water utility data are collected and managed through what is commonly referred to as a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. SCADA data systems in water systems have been prevalent for decades and typically consist of a central computer, an operator interface, data storage software (i.e., SCADA historian) and hardware, system control software (e.g., to open and close certain valves), and an integrated communication network. Real-Time EPANET software technologies provide the ability to access a SCADA historian database, use filtering, smoothing, and other data transformation methods on the SCADA data in order to run hydraulic and water quality simulations. While SCADA data is inherently messy, EPANET-RTX analytics software helps to make using SCADA data easier. Real-Time EPANET provides software tools whereby real-time analytics technologies can be effectively harnessed. To put it another way, Real-Time EPANET provides software tools to enable the smooth migration of data from the measurement (sensor) domain into the modeling domain.

10 Slide 10 A Closer Look Cont d (How is EPANET-RTX different?) A new approach to software development, distribution and maintenance: Open source project for development and software distribution. See: Seed commercial software development Fundamentally a new approach to WDS modeling! EPANET-RTX models run on SCADA data! 9 So, how is Real-Time EPANET software different? First, the development of EPANET-RTX software represents a new approach to software development. That is, it is an open and collaborative development process. Here is the link to the collaborative development repository or you can just Google EPANET-RTX at Open Water Analytics! EPANET-RTX was designed and introduced as an open source software project to encourage wide participation for collaborative and enhanced future development. Real-Time EPANET is also fundamentally a new approach to modeling because it enables the creation of a persistent connection between the network model and a SCADA database with automated data transformation and synthesis. Real-Time EPANET is NOT off-line modeling! Rather, it does not have to be. Real-Time EPANET modeling can be simultaneously performed by the engineer and the operator. It does not use a separated, stand-alone description of the water distribution system. Real-Time EPANET provides the tools for turning raw SCADA data into useful and effective data and information for running a real-time model.

11 Slide 11 Example time series plots (pressure and flows) of measured and simulated values: Illustrate time variation in measured versus simulated data Easy visual indication of difference or bias Results taken from case study report A Closer Look Cont d (Model Accuracy) LINCOLN PRV, ρ=0.88 Time (Days) Memorial Parkway Treatment Plant (MPTP) Supply Flow, ρ=0.95 Red dots are SCADA data Blue dots are modeled data 10 Of course the ultimate question for any modeling is How do we know our modeling results are accurate? Shouldn t the accuracy of modeling be readily determinable, readily available? EPANET-RTX software provides the building blocks for a continuous comparison of real-time model results with its SCADA data. Typically in water distribution system modeling (using off-line models/tools), when pumps turn on or off is dictated by pump curves and the embedded controls pump curves and time based controls that are usually old, error prone and not easily updated. In Real-Time EPANET pumps are when they are on and off when they are off. Here are two plots showing a side-by-side comparison of SCADA data and modeling results from our case study project with the Northern Kentucky Water District. The NKWD water system is a large and very complicated system serving approximately 350,000 people. The plots demonstrate how Real-Time EPANET model s predicted pressure and flow measurements compared to SCADA data from two facilities (PRV at a pump station and a flow monitor at one of the treatment plants). Real-Time EPANET provides a continuous comparison of measured SCADA values with modeled data and the analytical tools for performing a system-wide error analysis of measured and modeled results.

12 Slide 12 EPANET-RTX (Large & Small Water System Applications) Northern Kentucky Water District Demonstrated real-time modeling can provide substantive benefits to utility through reduced operational costs and improved management and operations. Demonstrated easier and continuous model calibration approach Identified potential excessive water pumping. Possibly excessive pumping from a lower elevation area (green pipes) to higher elevation area (blue pipes) due a possible broken control (isolation valve) allowing pumped water to fall back each day to lower area. Applying Real-Time Analytics to Small Water System (City of Milford, OH) Model and SCADA data fusion Improved water quality management Leak detection and water loss management Region of WDS showing two pressure zones and location of isolation valve 11 In the Northern Kentucky Water System we demonstrated that real-time modeling could be used to provide substantive benefits to the utility through reduced operational costs and improved management and operations. We identified a potential excessive water pumping issue. If correct, there was approximately 2,000 gpm of water being pumped continuously from a lower elevation area (green pipes in the figure) to the higher elevation area (the blue pipes in the figure) due to a possible broken control valve (isolation valve) thus allowing pumped water to fall back each day to the lower area. We also demonstrated in the Northern Kentucky Water System that using Real-Time EPANET provides an easier and continuous approach to model calibration. We currently are applying Real-Time EPANET to the City of Milford, OH, a small system serving less than 10,000 people. The City of Milford has the necessary infrastructure network model of their system and a SCADA data collection and storage system the necessary components for applying Real-Time EPANET. We have completed the model and SCADA data fusion process and are currently working to implement a strategy for improved water quality management and leak detection and water loss management.

13 Slide 13 A Closer Look at EPANET-RTX (Summary) Real-time analytics provides: More accurate network infrastructure models Continuously calibrated and verified WDS models Ability to design and implement security improvements to accurately represent the complete range of operational and seasonal conditions and situations in the water system Ability to implement substantive response actions during an emergency Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) 12 In summary, Real-Time EPANET uses real-time analytics to provide: (1) More accurate network infrastructure models, (2) Continuously calibrated and verified WDS models, (3) The ability to design and implement security improvements to accurately represent the complete range of operational and seasonal conditions and situations in the water system, and (4) The foundation necessary to implement substantive response actions during an emergency.

14 Slide 14 Other Applications for Real-Time Analytics Real-time analytics can change the way we look at sewers Reduce CSO event frequency and severity (Cities under CSO consent orders) Improve operational response to severe events (climate change adaptation) Watersheds, rivers, and water bodies Monitor water quality impairment in real-time (better identify non-point pollution sources) Forecast toxic algae blooms (like what occurred in Toledo this past summer) 13 I have been talking about Water Distribution Systems, but the opportunities for applying real-time analytics can be extended to sewers and water sheds. EPANET-RTX analytical technologies are being developed in a robust manner to be easily adapted to other modeling applications. Here are some examples:

15 Slide 15 Path Forward for EPANET & EPANET-RTX Merge EPANET and EPANET-RTX development: A community-based, web hosted, open source project Including code and version repository, bug tracking, and improved QA Continue to develop real-time analytics and advocate the realtime analytics modeling approach to the water community NHSRC & NRMRL continue to work to align priorities and resources (internal and extramural) and be prepared for the kick-off the National Center for Sustainable Water Infrastructure Modeling Research by late FY15 14 Our path forward for EPANET and EPANET-RTX development will be integrated. We are pursuing a communitybased, web hosted, and open source project approach for software development for both EPANET and EPANET- RTX. We will continue to develop real-time analytics in the most flexible manner to support multi-platform and multi-application use. We see the real-time analytics of EPANET-RTX providing the link between EPANET and SWMM (EPA s Storm Water Management model). We will continue to advocate the use of real-time analytics in modeling to the water community. NHSRC and NRMRL will continue to work to align priorities and resources, both internal and external, and be prepared for the kick-off of the National Center for Sustainable Water Infrastructure Modeling Research Project by late FY15.

16 Slide 16 For More Information Robert Janke Michael Tryby Hiba Ernst James Goodrich Michelle Simon Tom Speth Sally Gutierrez 15 Please contact any of us for more information!

17 Slide 17 Disclaimer This presentation has been reviewed in accordance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency policy and approved for publication. Although these slides were reviewed by EPA staff and approved for publication, it does not necessarily reflect EPA policy. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. With respect to this presentation, neither the United States Government nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product or process disclosed or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. This is our agency disclaimer. I will leave it for you to read at your leisure.