Water and Wastewater Energy Efficiency Research Needs Workshop

The purpose of this workshop was to identify and prioritize research projects that could be jointly funded by AwwaRF and the California Energy Commission that would improve energy optimization at water and wastewater utilities.

Composition of the workshop participants:

The workshop was facilitated by Mr. Ed Means of McGuire Environmental Consultants, Inc.

The workshop participants were provided background information on water and wastewater utility energy issues and asked, in advance, to submit potential project ideas. The ideas were also circulated among the participants in advance of the workshop. The workshop used breakout groups to debate and refine project ideas, and establish estimated project costs and schedule. The breakout groups were asked to evaluate the projects and assign a score of one to three in each of these categories:

1. Savings potential – projects having the greatest potential for both energy and economic savings
2. Likelihood for success – projects having the greatest likelihood of being implements
3. Timeliness – projects expected to produce the most recognizable benefits within a reasonable time period

The workshop participants identified eight primary research areas that represented potentially high yield in terms of energy savings and economic value. These areas are (1) advanced treatment processes, (2) desalination, (3) energy generation and recovery, (4) societal and institutional issues, (5) energy optimization, (6) sustainability, (7) decentralization, and (8) total energy management.

A total of 44 project descriptions were identified and described within these eight areas.

These eight research areas addressed five key issues that are the mission of the PIER program administered by the California Energy Commission. An issue under the PIER program is defined as a broad statement of a problem for which resolution is essential to reduce the cost or improve the reliability and availability of energy. These issues as they apply to the water and wastewater industries are as follows:

1. Rising electricity costs to meet stringent water quality requirements
2. Rising electricity costs to enhance water supplies
3. Improving reliability to mitigate problems of grid and restructuring
4. Lack of a system-level, energy-water link perspective for increasing energy efficiency
5. Non-technical barriers to optimize energy use and to foster energy savings

A final report that summarizes the workshop and project ideas developed at the workshop is available to AwwaRF subscribers.