Article

Received 14.11.2025

Revised 31.03.2026

Accepted 26.05.2026

Published 30.06.2026

Retrieved from Volume 30, No. 2, 2026

Pages 60 -75

Khramov, M., Sukovitsyna, I., Sadovoy, О., & Haleeva, A. (2026). Increasing the energy efficiency of sprinkler irrigation systems by optimising hydraulic modes and pumping equipment parameters. Ukrainian Black Sea Region Agrarian Science, 30(2), 60-75. https://doi.org/10.56407/bs.agrarian/2.2026.60

Increasing the energy efficiency of sprinkler irrigation systems by optimising hydraulic modes and pumping equipment parameters

Mykyta Khramov Iryna Sukovitsyna Oleksiy Sadovoy Antonina Haleeva

The aim of the study was to determine the energy effect of adaptive regulation of water supply modes and control of pumping equipment in the irrigation process. The study used analytical and balance methods, instrumental measurements of pressure, flow, and electricity consumption. Energy costs for irrigation remained (1,288 kWh/ha) with an average pump operating time of 9.6 h/day, which indicated the complete dependence of the systems on pumping supply (100%). The spatial scale of irrigation was significantly reduced – to about 100 thousand ha in 2023 and 40.5 thousand ha in 2025, which corresponded to only 10-20% of the pre-war potential (approximately 600 thousand ha). This condition was accompanied by losses of water (32-35%), energy (at least 30%) and critical wear of networks (over 75%). Optimisation of hydraulic modes provided a significant reduction in the load on the system, which was manifested in a reduction in the operating pressure from 0.60 to 0.42 MPa, a decrease in the power consumption of pumps from 56 to 39 kW and a decrease in the specific energy intensity of pumping from 430 to 305 kWh/1,000 m³. The introduction of automated control using a sensor network (humidity and pressure sensors) increased the adaptability of irrigation, increasing the frequency of irrigation adjustments from 1 to 6 times/day. This allowed reducing water supply during rainy periods by 35%, reducing seasonal energy consumption from 210 to 150 MWh and identifying 6 hidden leaks, which together confirmed the effectiveness of the transition to managed energy-saving modes of operation. The practical value of the study lies in the possibility of its use by water management organisations, agricultural enterprises and designers of land reclamation systems to reduce energy consumption, optimise irrigation modes and increase the efficiency of operation of existing infrastructure

soil moisture sensors; water consumption; loss reduction; irrigation adjustments; network wear
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