Managing Energy Demands in the Water Industry: Achieving Cost Savings and Sustainability

By Magazine Team Last updated Oct 31, 2023 551 0

Contents

1 Introduction

2 The Energy Intensity of the Water Industry

3 The Business Case for Sustainability

4 The Role of Battery Energy Storage Solutions

5 Leveraging Intelligent Energy Management

6 The State of the Water Industry

7 Implementing an Integrated Energy and Water Quality Management System (EWQMS)

8 Challenges and Benefits of EWQMS Implementation

9 Guiding Water Utilities Towards Net-Zero Water

10 Tools and Resources for Water Efficiency

11 The Future of Water Management: Innovation and Collaboration

12 Conclusion

Introduction

The water industry faces numerous challenges when it comes to managing its energy demands. From volatile energy costs to the need for power supply security and carbon reduction commitments, water utilities must find innovative solutions to ensure a cost-effective, reliable, and sustainable water supply. In this article, we will explore the issues faced by the water sector and delve into the energy management technologies that can help achieve cost savings, power resilience, and environmental sustainability.

The Energy Intensity of the Water Industry

The water industry is one of the most energy-intensive sectors, accounting for approximately 3% of the country’s energy demand. Rising energy costs and market volatility, coupled with the increasing focus on environmental performance, necessitate a careful balance between short-term cost considerations and long-term sustainability strategies. Water companies in England, Scotland, and Wales have set ambitious targets to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2030 or 2040, contributing to the UK’s overall net-zero ambitions. Reducing carbon emissions in the water industry would not only be a significant achievement but also make sound business sense, given that energy accounts for around 20% of operating costs for water companies.

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The Business Case for Sustainability

Water UK, the trade association representing British water companies, emphasizes the business benefits of sustainability. Deploying on-site renewables, such as solar and wind generation coupled with battery storage, not only increases operational resilience but also protects customers from energy price shocks. By relying more on self-generated power, water companies can reduce their exposure to fluctuating fossil fuel prices. Water UK’s commitment to a “least cost” approach to decarbonization aligns with regulators’ ethos, as outlined in the Net Zero Technology Review by Ofwat, the water regulator. This review emphasizes the importance of reducing electricity consumption and prioritizing on-site renewables to reduce grid electricity imports.

The Role of Battery Energy Storage Solutions

Battery Energy Storage Solutions (BESS) emerge as a critical technology for addressing the challenges of power supply security, affordability, and sustainability in the water industry. BESS provides uninterrupted power supply (UPS) during disruptions to the grid, ensuring continuous operations until grid supply resumes or backup generators come online for longer power outages. Moreover, when combined with on-site renewables, BESS allows for the storage of energy generated on-site, optimizing the usage of renewable energy alongside grid power. This approach reduces costs and carbon emissions by drawing from the grid during peak cost and peak carbon emission periods and using stored energy during sustainable and cheaper generation times.

Leveraging Intelligent Energy Management

Intelligent energy management software plays a crucial role in maximizing the benefits of BESS and on-site renewables. By integrating a BESS into a smart microgrid, water utilities can operate in island mode during grid disruptions, ensuring resilience. The control system, powered by advanced algorithms and machine learning techniques, manages the different power sources, seamlessly switching between local and centralized power supply. Real-time data and energy intelligence enable water companies to optimize energy efficiency, identify areas for improvement, and plan maintenance activities. This data-driven approach also supports the adoption of electric vehicle fleets, as microgrids can manage high-demand charging without overburdening the distribution network.

The State of the Water Industry

Despite the challenges, the water community remains optimistic about the sector’s ability to overcome obstacles and improve water systems and services.

The State of the Water Industry survey reflects a trend of increasing optimism over the years, with water professionals recognizing the importance of protecting water supplies, securing physical and cyber systems, and planning for routine and extreme events.

Incorporating resilience into risk management frameworks enables utilities to enhance their response and recovery strategies, minimizing service disruptions.

Implementing an Integrated Energy and Water Quality Management System (EWQMS)

The concept of an integrated Energy and Water Quality Management System (EWQMS) offers a holistic approach to optimize water quality, water supply, and energy management simultaneously.

Several water utilities have implemented EWQMS by interfacing optimization programs with control systems.

These systems have reported cost savings of 8-15% through the use of cheaper tariff periods and improved operating efficiencies, leading to a reduction in energy consumption of approximately 6-9%.

Challenges and Benefits of EWQMS Implementation

While implementing EWQMS can be complex, it offers numerous benefits for water utilities.

EWQMS allows for effective risk management, maintenance of water quality objectives, and cost-benefit solutions.

Utilities can better manage their water supply portfolios, monitor water balance, identify and reduce water losses from aging infrastructure, and decrease overall water consumption.

However, challenges such as system infrastructure, embedded energy, and geographical configuration must be addressed during implementation.

Guiding Water Utilities Towards Net-Zero Water

While this article primarily focuses on energy management, it is essential to mention the importance of water efficiency in achieving overall sustainability goals. Water utilities can incorporate net-zero water elements into their projects by reducing demand, producing alternative water sources, treating wastewater, and designing green infrastructure. By adopting a holistic approach to water management, water utilities can ensure efficient, resilient, and low-cost operations while minimizing their environmental impact.

Tools and Resources for Water Efficiency

Several resources and tools are available to support water utilities in their water efficiency efforts. The Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) provides guidelines, rules of thumb, and best management practices for water use estimation, alternative water projects, net-zero water design, and water efficiency in buildings. The Whole Building Design Guide (WBDG) offers up-to-date information on integrated design techniques and technologies for improving water efficiency. Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program provides valuable resources, such as checklists and worksheets, to help organizations assess and improve their water use practices.

The Future of Water Management: Innovation and Collaboration

Innovation plays a vital role in meeting the challenges faced by the water sector. Advancements in big data, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning enable valuable insights for optimizing operations, managing investments, and mitigating risks. Water utilities must embrace smart grid technologies, maximize the use of renewables, and leverage AI-driven energy management data to achieve their cost savings and net-zero ambitions. Collaboration between industry players, regulators, and technology providers is crucial to driving innovation and implementing sustainable energy management solutions.

Conclusion

Managing energy demands in the water industry requires a comprehensive approach that balances cost savings, power resilience, and sustainability. By deploying on-site renewables, leveraging battery energy storage solutions, and adopting intelligent energy management systems, water utilities can achieve their net-zero carbon goals, reduce costs, and ensure a reliable water supply. Innovation, collaboration, and a focus on water efficiency are key to navigating the complex energy landscape and driving sustainable practices in the water industry.

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