How to reduce energy consumption & increase the awareness of unnecessary energy usage across drinking and waste water sites?
I work for a high energy user, relying on electricity for most of our processes and treatment activities. Energy is one of our largest operating costs and as a result, we now face a significant energy consumption challenge.
Whilst we have already started to make our sites more efficient with the introduction of renewable energy generation, I am seeking ways to further reduce our energy consumption for the future.
The large numbers of assets employed e.g. blowers, pumps etc consume the majority of the energy. The challenge is how to maintain the asset operation at the most efficient point as opposed to the unit deteriorating and using more energy to achieve the same result.I am working on a new product which allows site users to complete intelligent question sets to provide evidence based data on how assets are performing. The surveys are completed using a simple mobile app and the data entry is simplified with drop downs, pick lists etc to improve accuracy. Once the data s received in the Quality console the asset manager can check how the assets are performing against the original specification. e.g a pump how kW, Flow, Head . The questionnaires are intelligent and depending on the answers can prompt other question sets, so from the data provided it can calculate efficiency and then prompt questions to check inlet /outlet valves are not restricted, suction head is correct etc . This application is scaled for large utility operation with many thousands of assets and interfaces to the asset data register
It allows a condition based view of all the assets to be collected at quarterly intervals and the asset performance tracked to identify those requiring interventions.
Hi David Paul Watkins - many thanks for your reply. The product you have mentioned sounds very interesting, is the app going to be compatible across different platforms (IOS/Android/Blackberry)? I have taken a look on your website, I would be interested in being sent more information.
I am trying approach the problem reducing our energy consumption from a behavioural change perspective. Whilst I agree that continual analysis of asset performance is key, I believe that it goes hand in hand with changing the operational behaviour of staff across our clean & waste water functions.
Education and using innovative thinking towards solving this problem will go a long way to helping achieve the cost saving measures that are required within the industry.
As far as concern with the use of blowers , In stead of conventional blowers, if Turbo blowers are used, It saves 25% power in aeration. High capital cost of Turbo blowers can be covered in two and half year and therafter it start to save money by saving of power.
Definitely need continuous energy analysis of operating facilities. Derived energy data will be measured against cost in terms of performance and form basis other decisions as mentioned. It is an extensive process. Most WTP costs comes from processes related to water heating , air conditioning and rotating equipments. Employing an energy analyst can provide necessary recommendations.