CWEE has developed a systematic approach to assess the energy intensity of delivered water within a water agency service area. Through evaluating the energy intensity of a water system throughout space and time, utility agencies receive insight on how to direct water system management improvements. Furthermore, it opens a path to intersecting energy and water data streams for system-wide optimization of water and energy resources. For example, linking leak loss data to water-energy intensity data enables a water utility to calculate the amount of water lost as well as the amount of energy embedded in those water losses.
CWEE is working on further collaboration with information technology and utility partners to integrate real-time water use and energy intensity data, including data sourced from GIS, SCADA, and AMI systems. The result will be a streamlined view of the water-energy interconnection for the water agency which will allow the agency to 1) deploy maintenance and infrastructure improvements that are prioritized in terms of water, energy, and cost savings; 2) determine the associated costs and benefits of maintenance or capital efficiency investments to the water utility and the local energy provider (in terms of reduced energy demand); and 3) allow for strategic decision making for where to best invest in water conservation and energy efficiency improvements across the water network (source treatment, distribution, end use, and wastewater treatment and collection).
