Event Date
Abstract
The implementation of consumption-based feedback as a water conservation method has proven to be an effective method of decreasing peak-hour residential water demands. This results in lower operational costs and more economical system designs by reducing the maximum capacity and power consumption needs of the system during these peak consumption periods. One method for increasing water conservation is the implementation of a consumption-based feedback system for individual consumers. This feedback system can then utilize gamification by introducing a competitive element, encouraging consumers to shift peak-hour water consumption to off-peak hours. While recent studies show promising gamification results in reducing peak-hour water usage, the need for estimating the effectiveness of these conservation programs is still necessary in order to encourage municipalities to adopt similar policies. In this study, we calibrated an existing gamification-based water conservation using an Agent-based model (ABM) and real-world data from a collaborative water utility. From this calibration we derived the ABM parameters from household characteristics, and the model framework was adjusted so that each smart meter's readings match those within the ABM. The resulting calibrated ABM can assist water utilities in determining the effectiveness of implementing a gamification-based water conservation program for their consumers and tailored to their local conditions.
Bio
Jorge Pesantez obtained his M.S. and Ph.D. in civil engineering degrees from North Carolina State University. Before joining Fresno State, Jorge worked as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. At Fresno State, Pesantez research focuses on urban water infrastructure systems by leveraging novel data sets from advanced metering infrastructure and the usage of AI-driven methods.