Assessment of energy efficiency in pump stations of pressurized irrigation systems (case study: Qazvin and Kermanshah provinces)

About 20% of the electricity produced in the world is consumed in rotary equipment for conveying fluids such as water, gas, air, and other liquids, while the loss of energy consumption in this sector is more than 60%. The aim of this study is to evaluate different efficiencies in the pumping stations in the pressurized irrigation systems to address low energy efficiency issues in the pump stations, and then finding proper solutions to increase it. In this regard, the electrical efficiency, hydraulic efficiency, and mechanical efficiency were determined in the studied pump stations. The total efficiency of each pump station was determined using those efficiencies. Pump station assessment tool (PSAT) software was used for modeling each station and predicting annual energy consumption costs; furthermore, the potential of increasing the efficiency was calculated. Results showed that the total efficiency of the studied pump stations ranged from 13 to 32% and averaged 24%. Factors, such as improper design, disproportion in terms of the operation conditions, and the design and improper operation caused a drop in efficiency of pump stations, and addressing these issues can improve the productivity of the energy consumption in the pump stations from 24 to 49%.