GVS.
Energy self-sufficient water network control system.
Applications
Aqueducts, district heating plants, industry, Oil&Gas.
Value
GVS is a control valve for water pipes and pipelines; it is automatic, remotely controllable and self-sufficient by recovering energy from the water flow, with no need for external power supply.
Technology
Energy harvesting; IoT; flow control.
- Energy consumption
- Valve automation
Problem
An average water pipeline control valve system can dissipate up to 100,000 kWh/year, the equivalent of the energy consumption of 20-30 average households in Europe. In addition, the lack of on-site energy sources makes valve automation particularly difficult.
Solution
GVS recovers the hydraulic energy dissipated in the valve by means of a turbine inserted inside the ball valve connected to a generator: it is thus able to power a sensor and valve control system and a remote telemetry system.
GVS can be installed on new systems or replace control valves in existing ones. It does not require the installation of other components or changing the operating conditions of the systems.
It can be operated remotely, varying the degree of opening and control parameters.
Captured data (upstream and downstream pressures, flow rate, valve opening, recovered energy, etc.) can be viewed via anApp orWeb interface and downloaded to allow control of daily/monthly averages or for water balances.
GVS can operate either alone or with other valves, forming in this case
a dynamic, interconnected system that communicates flow and pressure data collected in real time to a server, thus enabling individual installed units to change their set-up according to the needs of the network.
The control system was specially developed for installation in outdoor environment with high humidity and significant temperature fluctuations.
GVS was carried out in collaboration with the Polytechnic University of Milan, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
S&H performed the development of the product control system, including the definition and ideation, hardware and software design, prototyping, field experimentation and production.
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Collaborations
S&h has carried out projects in collaboration with leading universities and companies, including: CERN, University of Milan, Milan Polytechnic, BRIN and Studio Palmanova 28.
