Traffic efficient control of a water irrigation system

Abstract

Water scarcity is a persistent global issue that requires effective solutions. One increasingly popular approach to address the distribution of freshwater in different regions is the utilization of Water Irrigation Systems (WIS). Due to their vital role in ensuring people's well-being, it is crucial to design a reliable infrastructure that can maintain water levels in channels as close as possible to predefined reference points.
Extensive research papers have been dedicated to discussing various aspects of WIS control, modeling, and identification. Although simulations can yield valuable insights, it is essential to validate the results in real-life systems due to certain factors that cannot be precisely estimated, such as leakages along the channels. To address this need, a scaled-down version of a WIS at TU Delft has been developed, which effectively emulates the behavior of a real water irrigation system. Through continuous refinement and design enhancements, the simulator has proven to be a valuable tool.
Working with the scaled-down WIS has presented significant challenges, but a dedicated controller has been developed, yielding satisfactory results. The approach to controlling the WIS is simple yet effective, employing a decentralized controller that is applied to both the nonlinear simulator and the real setup. Remarkably, this approach successfully meets the predefined reference points, even in the face of applied disturbances to the system.