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A simulation tool for advanced design and management of collective sprinkler-irrigated areas: a study case

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Abstract

More than one million hectares have undergone irrigation modernization in Spain during this century. Irrigation modernization to pressurized systems is currently facing challenges derived from increasing electricity prices and decreasing public subsidies. The economic viability of such projects is compromised, and the number of projects is decreasing. Pressurized collective networks are commonly designed and managed using hydraulic simulation tools and probabilistic hypotheses on hydrant use. In this paper, a simulation tool is presented that widens the scope of the analysis by combining hydraulics with agronomy, agrometeorology, solid-set sprinkler irrigation and economics. The CINTEGRAL software simulates the net benefit of the seasonal operation of a collective pressurized irrigation network. The software incorporates an optimization module for the electricity contract associated with the pumping station. CINTEGRAL runs on a time step of a half-hour, and simulates the irrigation season of a variety of crops. The software was applied to analyze the economic benefit of a Water User Association (WUA) under different design and management scenarios (on-demand, network sectoring and dividing the irrigated area in separate networks). In the studied WUA, the network sectoring scenario provided important energy savings (22%) but negatively affected yield by a similar economic magnitude. The division of the area in two independent networks was the most cost-effective scenario. Network topologies, cropping patterns, market prices, irrigation infrastructure, soil conditions and management rules determine the optimum WUA management options. CINTEGRAL is a comprehensive simulation tool designed to help designers and managers guarantee the economic viability of their projects.

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Acknowledgements

This paper applies the “first-last-author-emphasis” approach for the sequence of authors. Research was funded by the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness of the Spanish Government (Plan Estatal de I + D+i) through Grant AGL2013-48728-C2-1-R. The International Center for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies of Zaragoza (CIHEAM-Zaragoza) provided an M. Sc. scholarship to Mr. El Habib El Malki.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Deparment Soil and Water, EEAD-CSIC, Avda. Montañana 1005, 50059, Saragossa, Spain

    N. Zapata, E. H. El Malki, B. Latorre & E. Playán

  2. CINGRAL S.L, c/Santa Cruz, 8 Bajos, 50003, Saragossa, Spain

    J. Gallinat, F. J. Citoler & R. Castillo

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  1. N. Zapata
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  2. E. H. El Malki
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  3. B. Latorre
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  4. J. Gallinat
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  5. F. J. Citoler
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  6. R. Castillo
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  7. E. Playán
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Correspondence to N. Zapata.

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Communicated by G. Merkley.

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Zapata, N., El Malki, E.H., Latorre, B. et al. A simulation tool for advanced design and management of collective sprinkler-irrigated areas: a study case. Irrig Sci 35, 327–345 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00271-017-0547-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00271-017-0547-7

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