Highlights

The purpose of this project was to improve the energy efficiency in the transportation, delivery and utilization of agricultural water. However, the impact of more efficient agricultural irrigation extends far beyond the agricultural community. Water is the lifeblood of California's industrial, environmental and urban health. The state water supply is tied together in a web that is almost identical to the electrical power network. A water savings in one location impacts the available supply in another region.

 

Successful research impacts numerous energy issues. These include:

• Reduction in groundwater pumping, thus reducing electricity consumption

• Elimination of future increases in groundwater pumping which will occur if the present water delivery infrastructure is not improved
• Increased yield per unit of energy consumed
• More efficient fertilizer practices
• Planning for water transfers
• Reduced vehicular traffic

• Reduced deterioration of groundwater quality and quantity

There are 6 distinct tasks:

• Research Technology Status to Establish Research Baseline

• Development of a Simple Procedure for Tuning Controller Constants for Automatic Upstream Control of Canal Check Structures

• New Devices for Volumetric Metering of Delivered Water - Trash Shedding Propeller Meters

• New Electronic Technologies for Volumetric Metering of Delivered Water - Magnetic, Doppler, Vortex Shedding and Ultrasonic Flow Measurement

• Development of Strategies for Energy-Efficient Transition from Low Pressure Non-Reinforced Concrete Pipe

• Power Quality Measurement and Conditioning

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