Author(s)

G. de Marinis, A. Russo & A. Del Greco

Abstract

Irrigation systems are generally characterized by a greater discharge than that which usually flows in drinking water supply systems. Moreover, they are supplied in limited periods of the year (irrigation periods) and sometimes a pump station with a high level of energy consumption could be needed. Therefore, when the geodetic heads are relevant it is possible to produce hydroelectric energy from these systems. Through the application on a real case study, i.e. an irrigation system managed by Consorzio Valle del Liri in Southern Italy, a simple optimization method of the system efficiency is herein illustrated. This work results in a feasibility study of the investigated system, leading to increasing social and environmental benefits. Keywords: irrigation systems, energy revenue, hydroelectric plants, sustainable development. 1 Introduction The diversification and the environmental sustainability of the energy production represent a fundamental aspect for the social and economic development of modern society. The need to reduce the strong dependence by oil and coal represents a new and hard challenge for the future: the economical costs to buy raw materials and the environmental costs that follow the energetic provisioning by traditional techniques clash both with the sustainable development idea and need of lower manufacturing costs. For this reason the new European laws go to liberalization of the energy production market with economical incentives to new private producers. In this context the energy revenue could have an important

Keywords

irrigation systems, energy revenue, hydroelectric plants, sustainable development.