Energy Efficiency and Carbon Emissions Reduction in the Water Industry

In 2005/2006 the water industry consumed 7,700 GWh of energy which accounts for 2% of total UK consumption; this presents an ever increasing burden for the industry, particularly as energy bills have doubled in the last 5 years.  However, there area also substantial opportunities for energy saving, carbon emissions reduction and for the implementation of renewable and energy recovery technology.

 

Mouchel has carried out extensive work to look at novel ways of addressing some of the industry’s largest areas of energy consumption, such as pumping and activated sludge aeration.  We are working with known techniques as well as providers of novel software and technology to provide optimum solutions for energy efficiency.  In addition we are working with the industry to identify opportunities for embedded renewable generation, including small scale hydro and anaerobic digestion. 

Some of the key areas for discussion include:

  • Voltage optimisation – powerPerfector’s novel voltage optimisation technology has the potential to reduce consumption by up to 20%
  • Pump optimisation – in addition to opportunities to improve the physical performance of pumps, the potential for improved pump scheduling will also be discussed
  • Process optimisation – optimising process performance generates a range of benefits, but for energy intensive processes (such as activated sludge) there is the opportunity to realise substantial energy savings
  • Small scale hydro – hydro has long been recognised as an attractive form or renewable energy, however, the water industry’s asset base has been overlooked in the past
  • Anaerobic digestion – improving the utilisation of the water industry’s digestion assets can not only yield significant additional biogas for energy generation, but also to generate a new, non-regulated, income stream
  • Biosolids processing – review of several break-through technologies which have the potential as alternative disposal routes for biosolids whilst recovering significant additional energy

Speakers :

Fiona Griffiths, Martin Hall and Laurie Reynolds

Mouchel

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