Moulton Niguel Water District Swims Against the Tide.(figures out way to save costs getting water uphill)

Sensorless-vector ac drives replace traditional closed-grid water systems for increased efficiency and less downtime

The Moulton Niguel Water District in Laguna Niguel, CA, enjoys a history of investing in control technology to save energy and, in turn, money. Moulton Niguel won the 1995 California Energy Commission Energy Showcase by installing programmable controllers and practicing off-peak pumping actions that resulted in electrical savings of more than $400,000 a year. This success prompted them to look at still more ways to invest in control systems that would creatively solve traditional application problems. Working with Rockwell Automation, Moulton Niguel reevaluated its use of pressure-modulating valves in closed-grid systems--long considered the industry standard--in favor of an innovative system controlled by Allen-Bradley variable-frequency ac drives.

Water Flowing Upstream

In most water districts, water pressure is maintained by reservoir head pressure, …