Photovoltaic pumping tests: A novel supervision method for photovoltaic water pumping systems

Water pumps powered by photovoltaic energy, often named ‘photovoltaic water pumping systems’ (PVWPS), offer a promising solution for improving water access in developing regions. Regular pumping tests are essential for characterizing boreholes and ensuring sustainable groundwater extraction. Traditi...

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Main Authors: Ange Sahuquet, Simon Meunier, Judith A. Cherni, Anne Charpentier, Thomas Vezin, Arouna Darga, Guillaume Zuffinetti, Peter K. Kitanidis, Loïc Quéval
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-11-01
Series:Heliyon
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024157490
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author Ange Sahuquet
Simon Meunier
Judith A. Cherni
Anne Charpentier
Thomas Vezin
Arouna Darga
Guillaume Zuffinetti
Peter K. Kitanidis
Loïc Quéval
author_facet Ange Sahuquet
Simon Meunier
Judith A. Cherni
Anne Charpentier
Thomas Vezin
Arouna Darga
Guillaume Zuffinetti
Peter K. Kitanidis
Loïc Quéval
author_sort Ange Sahuquet
collection DOAJ
description Water pumps powered by photovoltaic energy, often named ‘photovoltaic water pumping systems’ (PVWPS), offer a promising solution for improving water access in developing regions. Regular pumping tests are essential for characterizing boreholes and ensuring sustainable groundwater extraction. Traditionally, these tests are conducted only at the time of PVWPS installation using diesel pumps. However, since PVWPS typically have a lifespan of around 20 years, the borehole's condition may change over time, necessitating ongoing testing. To overcome this challenge, this article presents a novel method for conducting pumping tests using the PVWPS's own photovoltaic modules as the power source, greatly simplifying regular borehole monitoring over the PVWPS's lifespan. This approach improves the long-term technical sustainability of PVWPS. By eliminating the need for diesel generators, it reduces also costs, emissions, and logistical complexity while ensuring continuous water supply during testing. The principle and protocol for these proposed tests are outlined, as well as the key indicators for analysis. Furthermore, the associated costs and benefits are thoroughly explored. The proposed method is applied to a PVWPS in a village in Burkina Faso. This PVWPS has 750 Wp of photovoltaic modules, a 10 m³ water tank, and a 56 m borehole. Results show that the photovoltaic pumping tests allow to accurately determine borehole parameters, achieving a model fit with an average R2 of 0.99. Additionally, a photovoltaic pumping test costs $43, which is significantly lower than standard pumping tests: a multiple step drawdown test costs $511 and a long pumping test costs $2050. Moreover, the proposed photovoltaic pumping tests can prevent premature replacements of PVWPS components, leading to significant savings. While demonstrated in a specific context, this method is transferable to other systems, offering potential benefits for companies, local authorities, governments, and NGOs involved in the development and maintenance of PVWPS in rural areas.
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spelling doaj-art-b589429c40a94e6ab2cee352e38936902024-11-15T06:13:19ZengElsevierHeliyon2405-84402024-11-011021e39718Photovoltaic pumping tests: A novel supervision method for photovoltaic water pumping systemsAnge Sahuquet0Simon Meunier1Judith A. Cherni2Anne Charpentier3Thomas Vezin4Arouna Darga5Guillaume Zuffinetti6Peter K. Kitanidis7Loïc Quéval8Université Paris-Saclay, CentraleSupélec, CNRS, GeePs, 91192, Gif-Sur-Yvette, France; Sorbonne Université, CNRS, GeePs, 75252, Paris, FranceUniversité Paris-Saclay, CentraleSupélec, CNRS, GeePs, 91192, Gif-Sur-Yvette, France; Sorbonne Université, CNRS, GeePs, 75252, Paris, France; Corresponding author. Université Paris-Saclay, CentraleSupélec, CNRS, GeePs, 91192 Gif-Sur-Yvette, France.Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, United KingdomCentre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, United KingdomInstitut Photovoltaique d’Ile de France, UMR-IPVF 9006, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique IPP, ENSCP PSL, Palaiseau, FranceSorbonne Université, CNRS, GeePs, 75252, Paris, France; Université Paris-Saclay, CentraleSupélec, CNRS, GeePs, 91192, Gif-Sur-Yvette, France; DargaTech SARL, Ouagadougou, Burkina FasoUniversité Paris-Saclay, CentraleSupélec, CNRS, GeePs, 91192, Gif-Sur-Yvette, France; Sorbonne Université, CNRS, GeePs, 75252, Paris, FranceDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, United StatesUniversité Paris-Saclay, CentraleSupélec, CNRS, GeePs, 91192, Gif-Sur-Yvette, France; Sorbonne Université, CNRS, GeePs, 75252, Paris, FranceWater pumps powered by photovoltaic energy, often named ‘photovoltaic water pumping systems’ (PVWPS), offer a promising solution for improving water access in developing regions. Regular pumping tests are essential for characterizing boreholes and ensuring sustainable groundwater extraction. Traditionally, these tests are conducted only at the time of PVWPS installation using diesel pumps. However, since PVWPS typically have a lifespan of around 20 years, the borehole's condition may change over time, necessitating ongoing testing. To overcome this challenge, this article presents a novel method for conducting pumping tests using the PVWPS's own photovoltaic modules as the power source, greatly simplifying regular borehole monitoring over the PVWPS's lifespan. This approach improves the long-term technical sustainability of PVWPS. By eliminating the need for diesel generators, it reduces also costs, emissions, and logistical complexity while ensuring continuous water supply during testing. The principle and protocol for these proposed tests are outlined, as well as the key indicators for analysis. Furthermore, the associated costs and benefits are thoroughly explored. The proposed method is applied to a PVWPS in a village in Burkina Faso. This PVWPS has 750 Wp of photovoltaic modules, a 10 m³ water tank, and a 56 m borehole. Results show that the photovoltaic pumping tests allow to accurately determine borehole parameters, achieving a model fit with an average R2 of 0.99. Additionally, a photovoltaic pumping test costs $43, which is significantly lower than standard pumping tests: a multiple step drawdown test costs $511 and a long pumping test costs $2050. Moreover, the proposed photovoltaic pumping tests can prevent premature replacements of PVWPS components, leading to significant savings. While demonstrated in a specific context, this method is transferable to other systems, offering potential benefits for companies, local authorities, governments, and NGOs involved in the development and maintenance of PVWPS in rural areas.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024157490Photovoltaic systemsEnergy-water nexusSustainabilityDeveloping countries
spellingShingle Ange Sahuquet
Simon Meunier
Judith A. Cherni
Anne Charpentier
Thomas Vezin
Arouna Darga
Guillaume Zuffinetti
Peter K. Kitanidis
Loïc Quéval
Photovoltaic pumping tests: A novel supervision method for photovoltaic water pumping systems
Heliyon
Photovoltaic systems
Energy-water nexus
Sustainability
Developing countries
title Photovoltaic pumping tests: A novel supervision method for photovoltaic water pumping systems
title_full Photovoltaic pumping tests: A novel supervision method for photovoltaic water pumping systems
title_fullStr Photovoltaic pumping tests: A novel supervision method for photovoltaic water pumping systems
title_full_unstemmed Photovoltaic pumping tests: A novel supervision method for photovoltaic water pumping systems
title_short Photovoltaic pumping tests: A novel supervision method for photovoltaic water pumping systems
title_sort photovoltaic pumping tests a novel supervision method for photovoltaic water pumping systems
topic Photovoltaic systems
Energy-water nexus
Sustainability
Developing countries
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024157490
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