Resilience of distribution systems under crisis scenarios

We are developing a methodology and a tool (Gondwana) to quantify and numerically optimise the resilience of these systems under such crisis scenarios.

Inventory of threats

A properly functioning drinking water distribution system is not self-evident.  Our drinking water is exposed to a range of dangers, from flooding and cyberattacks to contamination. This project is inventorying the threats involved, and developing a practical means of making current and future infrastructures as resilient as possible to them.

Identifying the right indicators

The quantification of the resilience of a distribution system requires the identification of the right indicators. To this end, the project employs resilience indexes, which quantify the effect of physical threats such as pipe fractures. The team is working closely with the French research institute, IRSTEA, which has extensive experience in the area. The indicators are being implemented in Gondwana, an optimisation platform for distribution systems. The program enables the detailed analysis of entire systems – including individual mains, valves, etc. – and the optimisation of the resilience of these systems.

The benefits of Gondwana

By using Gondwana, water companies can test the resilience of their current distribution systems under different crisis scenarios. As a complement to conventional methods, Gondwana thus also makes it possible to identify sensitive areas. With regard to the design of new infrastructures, the method and tool will offer a valuable performance indicator. A system can thus be (automatically) adjusted so as to maximise its resilience. At the same time, Gondwana makes it possible to optimise several objectives; this is expressed in a series of different designs. Costs can therefore be weighed against resilience to determine the optimal solution. Based on quantitative analysis, Gondwana enables robust decision-making.