Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
be clearly described, and the effect of the rebate program on paybacks should be
identified. Funding and budgeting are key to implementation of cost-intensive ECMs.
Grants, loans, and technical support are available from some federal, state, and local
sources. State energy offices often have detailed information on the available funding
sources.
Follow-up, Monitoring, and Project Implementation
An often overlooked aspect of energy optimization efforts is the follow-up process
after the analysis is completed. Often these reports are put on bookshelves and simply
forgotten because of funding problems. The follow-up process should take as long as
2 years to check the progress of implementing conservation measures.
Parameters to be monitored include but are not limited to the following:
Plant flow
•
Plant demand, in kilowatts
•
Plant energy, in kilowatt-hours
•
Monthly energy costs
•
Demand and energy for individual processes or pieces of equipment
•
Unit energy consumption for the plant, in kilowatt-hours per million gallons (or
million liters) treated
•
Pump efficiency as measured by (1) wire-to-water efficiency and (2) unit energy
consumption
•
These parameters should be monitored both before and after ECMs are imple-
mented. The suggested frequency is at least once every 6 months for 2 years. After
that, yearly monitoring may suffice. The savings achieved should be compared to the
savings identified in the optimization study. If the savings achieved are less than the
identified savings, then further investigation may be needed.
Many ECMs cannot be implemented until the water utility's next budget cycle.
Therefore, many measures could take more than a year to implement.
ECMs with high capital costs may require special funding or grants. Identifying
electric utility rebate programs, if any, as well as potential financing or other grants,
is important. The follow-up process can enable the development of a recognition pro-
gram that singles out departments and / or individuals for awards as the unit energy
usage at the facility drops. These awards can include certificates, trophies, or wall
plaques—even cash awards if appropriate. The recognition program could be further
enhanced by special presentations by the electric utility at city council or board-of-
directors meetings. These presentations could single out individuals or groups for com-
mendation
and
award.
This
approach
provides
a
very
high
profile
for
energy
conservation at the facility.
ELECTRIC MOTORS
The vast majority of energy in the waterworks industry is consumed by electric motors.
Therefore, sizing, applying, and operating electric motors to ensure maximum effi-
ciency are essential. Two approaches are used to improve efficiency in existing and
proposed systems:
