A smarter way to move water
In an agricultural area renowned for fruit production and increasingly vulnerable to water scarcity, the West
Romagna Land Reclamation Consortium has developed numerous irrigation projects, both inter-company and
public, to support irrigation activities serving local farms. The contracting company, with the technical support
of Idrologica Srl, has launched the implementation of an extensive irrigation infrastructure project aimed at
supplying over one million cubic meters of water to 136 farms through smart and sustainable technologies.
For one of the main artificial reservoirs involved in the project, Franklin Electric provided a pumping solution that combines high performance with outstanding energy efficiency.

Solving irrigation with intelligence and precision
Farms in the area grow delicate crops such as kiwifruit, peaches, apricots, and grapes, which are highly sensitive to
both water shortages and thermic stress. With fluctuating reservoir levels, changing seasonal needs, and a strong push toward sustainability, the solution needed to offer more than just pumping power. It had to be adaptable, efficient, and smart enough to respond to real-time irrigation demands.

 

Adaptive technology that responds to the land
Franklin Electric’s High Efficiency Systems stand out for their ability to dynamically adjust to the actual water needs of the network. Thanks to advanced speed control, each pump continuously modulates its output to match the required flow. This ensures optimum aggregate performance even when multiple systems operate in parallel.
This adaptive functionality brings multiple advantages.

• Pumps respond precisely to irrigation demand, avoiding energy waste.
• Pressure remains consistent, protecting pipelines and improving water distribution.
• The system performs just as efficiently at part load, significantly lowering power consumption.
• The result is a smarter and more sustainable way to manage irrigation, especially critical during peak agricultural months.

Sustainable engineering meets real-world farming
The entire installation is part of a broader strategy for energy-conscious water management. The reservoir hosting
Franklin Electric’s systems is also equipped with floating solar panels, which contribute to powering the pumps and
significantly reduce dependence on grid electricity. To further optimize performance, the High Efficiency Systems
are mounted on motorized sleds that move along anchored rails. This design ensures the pumps always operate
one meter below the water surface, where water temperatures remain stable, protecting crops from thermal stress
and improving overall irrigation quality. The combination of renewable energy, adaptive speed control, and precision-positioned pumping represents a forward- looking model for sustainable agricultural infrastructure.

Future-proofing agriculture through efficiency
Franklin Electric’s High Efficiency Systems have brought clear advantages to the irrigation project. Lower energy
consumption, reduced heat generation, and smaller cable requirements are made possible thanks to permanent magnet motors. The sled-mounted design ensures stable water temperatures for crops, preventing thermal shock and supporting healthy growth. Combined with renewable energy, this solution not only lowers operating costs but also reflects a commitment to a more conscious and responsible way of farming. It is a step toward protecting natural resources while ensuring that future generations can continue to cultivate the land.

• Watch how the application functions