A grey-box approach in the optimization of regulation structures used in urban-water conveyance systems

This paper presents a holistic approach to address the challenges associated with deploying laboratory-derived hydraulic models in real operational conditions within Urban Water Systems (UWS). The underlying methods and tools are tested and validated using real-world data from the conveyance system serving the city of Athens, Greece. Initially, a novel data repair mechanism is developed, to rectify inconsistencies in time series. Subsequently, algorithmic techniques are applied to identify the most suitable datasets for calibration purposes. Furthermore, a grey-box procedure is developed to adjust key hydraulic modelling parameters, following a modular calibration procedure and aligning them with the specific characteristics of the UWS under study. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for effectively adapting and implementing laboratory-derived hydraulic models in real-world UWS scenarios, enabling better decision-making and management strategies for complex hydro-systems under challenging operational conditions.