Driving Energy Efficiency in the U.S. Water Wastewater Industryby Focusing on Operating and Maintenance Cost Reductions

摘要

The United States water and wastewater industry is a large consumer of energy and offers significant potential for energy efficiency improvement projects, particularly related to pumping, aeration, and solids treatment processes. However, energy cost savings are often not adequate to justify capital expenditures for identified energy efficiency measures. In such situations, additional non-energy benefits must be linked to the projects to ensure their development. Common non-energy drivers in the industry include system reliability, water quality, and operating costs. The paper presents specific opportunities to leverage the value. of increasing reliability, improving water quality, and reducing labor and maintenance costs to advance energy savings opportunities.