Analyzing the Water-Energy Nexus: Case Studies that Examine the Crucial Connection

Transcription

1 Analyzing the Water-Energy Nexus: Case Studies that Examine the Crucial Connection June 30, 2014 Ned Spang, Ph.D. Program Manager Heather Cooley Water Program Director Amanda Acheson Sustainable Building Program Manager LOCAL GOVERNMENTS BUILDING A CLEAN ECONOMY

2 Opportunities for Improved Information and Analytics at the Water-Energy Nexus Dr. Ned Spang, Program Manager Center for Water-Energy Efficiency Applied Solutions Webinar June 30, 2014

3 TOPICS FOR TODAY S DISCUSSION Water-Energy Overview Energy Intensity of Water Systems EBMUD Case Study Designing Effective Programs Next Steps

4 WATER ENERGY NEXUS OVERVIEW

5 CA WATER-ENERGY POLICY MOMENTUM Energy Efficiency Guidance Decision ( ) CPUC EE Program Bridge Period ( ) California Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32) Carbon Cap & Trade The Water Conservation Act of 2009 (SB x7-7) 20% reduction in urban water use Green Building 2012 (EO B-18-12) 20% reduction in state agency water use

6 WATER ENERGY OPPORTUNITIES Four actionable objectives: Increase energy efficiency of water infrastructure Reduce energy use through water conservation Increase energy generation Real-time integration of water-energy management

7 WATER ENERGY OPPORTUNITIES 2 Future: A System-Wide Approach Water- Energy Smart Grids Emerging: Utility Scale Water Conservation Established: End-Use Real-time Energy Management Renewables Integration Pump Motors Water Heaters

8 ENERGY INTENSITY ANALYSIS EBMUD CASE STUDY A high-resolution approach to calculating energy intensity (EI) Why is it challenging? Agency-specific Requires systems approach Dynamically varies in space and time Balance between accuracy and analytical burden Why is it important? Design water conservation programs to optimize energy savings Monitor and verify energy/ghg savings

9 ENERGY INTENSITY ANALYSIS SEASONAL VARIABILITY 10-12% monthly variation around the annual mean

10 ENERGY INTENSITY ANALYSIS SPATIAL VARIABILITY >12X difference across the distribution network

11 DESIGNING EFFECTIVE WATER-ENERGY PROGRAMS Linking dynamic characteristics of conservation programs to energy flows Need to factor in: Customer types and location Seasonality of water use Indoor or outdoor water use Utility-side opportunities: Leak loss Pressure Management Customer-side opportunities: Direct technology install Rebate programs Behavior change

12 THE DATA CHALLENGE AND NEXT STEPS

13 THANK YOU QUESTIONS?

14 Water-Energy Simulator (WESim) Heather Cooley, Applied Solutions Webinar

15 About the Pacific Institute The Pacific Institute works to create a healthier planet and sustainable communities. We conduct interdisciplinary research and partner with stakeholders to produce solutions that advance environmental protection, economic development, and social equity in California, nationally, and internationally.

16 Energy Challenges for Water Sector More energy-intensive water sources (desalination, declining groundwater levels) Stricter water quality regulations and emerging contaminants Rising energy costs Need to reduce GHG emissions

17 Reducing Energy Use and GHG Emissions Improve energy efficiency of operations. Develop less energy-intensive local sources, such as recycled water. Implement water conservation and efficiency. Develop renewable energy systems, including solar and biogas recovery.

18 Water-Energy Simulator (WESim) Work funded by the WateReuse Research Foundation, California Energy Commission, and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Input from 7 water utilities in U.S. and Canada Final model and user s manual available at

19 Wastewater Discharge Source Extraction Wastewater Treatment Raw Water Conveyance Wastewater Collection Water Treatment Customer End Use Treated Water Distribution

20 WESim Demonstration

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28 Thank you! th Street, Preservation Park, Oakland, CA Phone:: (510) Web:

29 Water-Energy Nexus: A Case Study by a Rural County Government Applied Solutions Webinar-June 30 th, 2014 Amanda Acheson, Coconino County Sustainable Building Program Manager

30 Overview of Coconino County Located in northern AZ, 2 nd largest county in the continental U.S.A, geographically, with over 18,000 square miles, encompassing multiple communities; Diverse geography and population, includes the Colorado Plateau, Grand Canyon, the largest contiguous Ponderosa Pine forest in North America, as well as, Navajo, Hopi, Havasupai, Hualapai, and Kaibab Native American Reservations; Population increased by 16% from and by the end of 2012, the population included over 136,000 people, with more than half of the population located in the County urban seat of Flagstaff, the remainder of communities are located in rural areas. 30

31 Water Sources Surface water, groundwater, and effluent. Historically, larger municipalities within the County met demands mostly through surface water reservoirs, but ongoing drought conditions has increased the need for groundwater; severe weather impacting infrastructure; Rural areas depend on municipal water filling stations for hauling, or private wells, or shared community wells, and/or growing use of rainwater harvesting for domestic/potable uses and landscaping, as well as reclaimed/greywater use for landscaping needs. Photo courtesy of: U.S. Forest Service Left: Lake Mary, major water supply; Right: Inner Basin Pipeline after fire and flood in 2012 Photo courtesy of: Friends of the Rio de Flag 31

32 Energy Profile Majority of electricity generated in Coconino County comes from coal that is supplied by open pits by Peabody Coal on the Navajo and Hopi Reservations and in New Mexico; growing renewable portfolio According to the International Building Codes, Coconino County has such a large land base it includes 4 different climate zones; Much of Coconino County s electricity and natural gas is provided by state utilities, but a large portion of the rural county is self-reliant, meeting their energy needs through propane, wood burning, solar, and wind energy systems. Right: Perrin Ranch Wind Farm- Largest wind farm in AZ, 1.6MW with 62 utility grade turbines 32

33 Water-Energy Nexus Issues Depleting surface water resources = increased groundwater pumping from depths ranging from 1,000-3,000 feet below the surface=tremendous energy consumption from pumping Depleting groundwater accessibility = developing new water sources, including potential pipelines from distances as far as 40 miles = major energy consumption from pumping Increased population = increased water consumption and waste water treatment = increased energy consumption Increase in private wells = decreasing water availability for existing wells, creating neighborhood conflicts 33

34 Water-Energy Nexus Issues Continued Increased development in rural areas = increased infrastructure needs, such as hauling stations = increased water and energy consumption and transportation impacts Federal and state support is largely focused on high density urban areas = limited support for rural water resource development Larger, urban areas continue to grow and develop = increased energy and water consumption = expanded energy sourcing in rural areas like Coconino County 34

35 Addressing Water-Energy Nexus: Policies and Regulations Coconino County Comprehensive Plan (land-use plan that guides development in 10 year increments): Energy Element added in 2013, supports development that includes energy and water efficiency, and renewable energy; Water Element addresses water resources, scarcity, conservation, alternative sources, water quality, and regulatory framework County adopted the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) for all new buildings and major retrofits in 2006, and recently adopted the 2012 IECC, increasing building energy efficiency by about 30% over the 2006 code Recently adopted a Stormwater Ordinance that includes Low Impact Development methods and pollution prevention 35

36 Addressing Water-Energy Nexus: Internal Operations All existing County buildings have, and continue to be retrofitted for energy and water efficiency, working towards Energy Star certification standards; County adopted a resolution to build to LEED Silver standards for new buildings; County provides ongoing resources and education on ways to conserve water, energy, and minimize waste at work and at home; County parks and landscapes incorporate low-water methods like native plants, Xeriscaping, and smart water practices; County is in the process of installing 1.2 MW of solar on 4 facilities, offsetting 1/3 of the County s total electricity consumption 36

37 Addressing Water-Energy Nexus: Community Programs & Partnerships Coconino County adopted a Sustainable Building Program in 2003 Coconino Plateau Water Advisory Council-large regional partnership that includes local, state, and federal organizations, and native communities-collaboration on regional water issues, solutions, education, and legislation; Partnerships with municipalities, towns, utility companies, and educational institutions within Coconino County to incorporate energy and water efficiency in operations and programming; Photo courtesy of: City of Flagstaff Left: Solar at Wildcat Hill Wastewater Facility- 21% energy off-set; Right: APS 1.5 MW Community Solar Project Photo courtesy of: APS 37

38 Addressing Water-Energy Nexus: Challenges Coconino County does not have water utility: Cannot guarantee water availability-dependent on local municipalities, improvement districts, and private water utilities; As each municipality and water provider aims to meet their communities growth and water demands-coconino County needs to continue to collaborate to develop long-range plans for meeting rural community growth and demands County has no jurisdiction over water utilities-limits ability to regulate consumption-az Dept. of Water Resources and AZ Dept. of Environmental Quality provide oversight on private wells and water quality; The cost of water to the bill payer is inexpensive comparative to energy, and does not reflect the critical issue of the scarcity of water availability-as expenses rise, so will costs. 38

39 Addressing Water-Energy Nexus: Strengths & Solutions Challenges can create strengths: rural residents minimize water consumption because it s not as easy as just turning on the water, they often pay more than municipal users due to costs associated with infrastructure and hauling; More and more people, and organizations are leading by example and incorporating energy and water efficiency strategies. Left: Leonard off-grid residence, 15,000 gal rainwater harvestingrenewable energy; Right: rainwater harvesting in City of Flagstaff-rebates Above: Beran off-grid residence, almost 100% energy and water needs met through renewable, rainwater, greywater 39

40 Questions? Carolyn Glanton (707) LOCAL GOVERNMENTS BUILDING A CLEAN ECONOMY