Considerable efforts have attempted to establish a direct correlation between water- and energy conservation at a project specific level. Yet, remarkably few reliable models have been adopted by policy makers. This paper will explore the "Water-Energy Nexus" and redefine the boundaries of a water-energy project. This newly developed conceptual framework can be used by the water industry and policy makers to rethink their approach to water-energy conservation programs. The treatment and distribution of water and wastewater are all energy intensive processes. Depending on the end use and quality requirements, the associated energy footprint for water management can be very high. Furthermore, the value of each unit of water saved varies widely throughout the U.S.; in fact, it is greater than the variation of per unit electricity costs. Similarly, the generation of electricity requires large volumes of water, whether through the production of the raw materials required to make generation technology, or from thermal cooling requirements prevalent in most power plants. Nowhere is this more important than in the Southwest U.S. where the average evaporated gallon of water per produced kwh is more than three times the national average. With record droughts impacting the region there has never been a better time to examine the water energy relationship. This paper draws from utility administered energy efficiency programs and focuses on completed projects where energy efficiency measures have been implemented with significant water related energy use. For the survey group, both projected energy savings and water savings will be quantified and valued. Findings from this survey group evaluation will be used to provide a more robust project benefit analysis - inclusive of energy cost savings and water cost savings, and link benefits such as wastewater treatment savings and thermal cooling requirements. Ultimately, these findings will be used to develop recommendations to optimize program design for water-energy projects and revise frameworks for regulatory policy around waterenergy projects.
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