Motors account for as much as half of electricity consumed in the United States, and pumps and fans represent one of the largest motor applications. Utilities market studies estimated fan and pump energy use in the Wastewater Treatment (WWT) segment to be 4% for Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) and 3.2% for Southern California Edison (SCE) customers.
While the potential for energy savings in pump and fan systems is well established, past programs have faced a challenge: identifying energy-savings projects is resource-intensive since energy improvement opportunities are site-specific. To help utilities Account Representatives identify these opportunities at WWT facilities, a three-stage screening process was developed in this report. This screening tool and reference guide provide Account Representatives with the resources to: conduct a knowledgeable interview with WWT facility personnel, prioritize facilities according to potential energy savings, and identify specific measures to improve pump-system efficiency.
Motors account for as much as half of electricity consumed in the United States, and pumps and fans represent one of the largest motor applications.
Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) and Southern California Edison (SCE) jointly funded separate market assessments studies of pump and fan use in key customer segments using utility billing data and market information. Based on those reviews, PG&E and SCE agreed that Wastewater Treatment (WWT) facilities represent a significant and rapidly growing market segment with significant motor loads.
The studies estimated fan and pump energy use in the WWT segment to be 4% for PG&E and 3.2% for SCE customers.
While the potential for energy savings in pump and fan systems is well established, past programs have faced a challenge: identifying energy-savings projects is resource-intensive since energy improvement opportunities are site-specific. To help utilities Account Representatives identify these opportunities at WWT facilities, a three-stage screening process was developed in this report. This screening tool and reference guide provide Account Representatives with the resources to: conduct a knowledgeable interview with WWT facility personnel, prioritize facilities according to potential energy savings, and identify specific measures to improve pump-system efficiency.
The report’s key sections are as follows:
Energy efficiency Customer Screening for Pump System Section defines key operations at WWT facilities, providing the Representative with a working knowledge of a facility.
Wastewater treatment Plant Operation Section introduces the different types of pumps found at WWT facilities, and the pressure and flow relationships found in pumping systems.
Pumping System Basics Section provides energy-efficiency measures that can be applied to WWT pumping systems.