AWWA ACE68736

Application of advanced control to improve water quality and increase energy efficiency has long been a goal of waterutilities. With the widespread implementation of distributed control systems, and especially centralized supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) in thewater sector, beginning in the 1980s, utilities had the technical tools to begin to realize this objective. In the U.S., anestimated three percent of all electricity production is consumed by water and wastewater systems, with more than 90%of the energy purchased being used for pumping. A prudent utility will make every effort to specify and install the mostenergy efficient pumps for the application, as well as to operate pumps in the most cost efficient manner possible.Climate change is an issue of growing international concern. Many governments and organizations have recognized thisand are now seeking ways to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs), in particular carbon dioxide (CO₂).Generation of electricity through fossil fuels or coal burning plants are prime contributors to GHG emissions. It followsthat if a water utility desires to minimize its carbon footprint, one way to do so would be to reduce net energyconsumption through operation of pumps at greater efficiencies. An energy management system (EMS), if properlydesigned can supplement the SCADA system to enable plant operations and planning personnel to both reduce theirelectricity bills and to minimize total energy consumption, thereby resulting in a net reduction in CO₂ emissions.This paper describes four case studies of energy management systems in the U.S. and the impact each of these have hadon reducing the carbon footprint of the respective water utility. The process of estimating the impact based on energyefficiency measurement, followed by analysis of each state's energy production and fuel mix, is presented as well as theresults achieved following the first full year of operation. Includes 6 references, tables, figures.

Product Details

Edition:

Vol. - No.

Published:

11/01/2008

Number of Pages:

33

File Size:

1 file , 2.7 MB