Ordering Information:
ORDER NUMBER: 2923
DATE AVAILABLE: Winter 2003/2004

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR:
Edward G. Means III

OBJECTIVES:
This project was designed to achieve two objectives: (1) provide direction for the RD&D activities of the California Energy Commission’s Public Interest Energy Research program to meet the energy needs of water/wastewater utilities based on the industry input; and (2) provide project descriptions which AwwaRF can incorporate in RFPs.

BACKGROUND:
Water and wastewater utilities in California (as in other states) are currently grappling with significant demographic, environmental, and technological trends that will reshape the provision of these essential infrastructure services. Eleven million new residents will require water and wastewater service. This growth will have direct and indirect impacts on the provision of these services. In addition, compliance with the regulatory requirements enacted under the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act will require many water and wastewater systems to implement new technologies like ultraviolet light oxidation/disinfection, integrated membranes, ozonation, etc. Also, many of the current water and wastewater plants in California are 30 or more years old. The repair, upgrade, and replacement of this infrastructure will leverage new water treatment technologies and equipment. The energy requirements of these new energy intensive technologies must be planned for and accommodated. In light of these trends, significant opportunities exist to reduce energy use in water and wastewater systems.

HIGHLIGHTS:
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. A detailed matrix was developed, which outlines the project titles, budget estimates, schedules, and general rankings by potential savings, likelihood of success, and timeliness.

APPROACH:
The selected experts were invited to participate in a Water and Wastewater Energy Efficiency Research Needs Workshop in Sacramento, California. 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 then asked to evaluate the projects and assign a score of one to three in each of three categories: (1) Savings Potential, (2) Likelihood for Success, and (3) Timeliness.

RESULTS:
Forty-four potential project ideas were developed by the participants. They are summarized under each of the eight primary research areas. Further descriptions are included in Appendix A of the report.

IMPACT:
Each proposed project description included (1) a description of issue/problem, (2) benefits for the water supply or wastewater community, (3) objectives,
(4) recommended funding, (5) background, and (6) a research approach. These project descriptions will help to identify and prioritize future projects that will focus on emerging technologies and best practices that will improve future energy efficiency, reliability, and costs for water and wastewater treatment facilities. The final product of the workshop, individual project descriptions, can form the basis for future “request-for-proposals,” estimated costs for each identified project, and a potential research plan schedule.

RESEARCH PARTNER:
California Energy Commission

PARTICIPANTS:
• City of San Diego (Calif.) Wastewater
• San Francisco (Calif.) Public Utilities Commission
• City of Los Angeles (Calif.) Bureau of Sanitation
• East Bay Municipal Utility District, Oakland, Calif.
• Las Vegas (Nev.) Valley Water District