Global warming is causing unpredictable climate change resulting in extreme weather phenomena, characterized by long periods of drought interspersed with episodes of torrential rain, which are difficult to manage. In many cases, this makes it difficult to obtain quality water to supply an ever-growing population, leading to increased demand for energy, which is not always available.
Energy is a key input in water and sanitation services and has a significant impact on their costs. This is exacerbated when supply prices are high in many areas, as is currently the case. Energy accounts for between 5% and 30% of total operating costs and can be as high as 40% in some cases.
Any reduction in energy consumption, whether through water and energy savings or process improvements, leads directly to cost reductions and an increase in process efficiency and sustainability.
In this context, it is essential to optimize both the processes and the operation of the equipment used in providing these services, so that they work under optimum energy efficiency conditions, avoiding the use of deteriorated equipment or equipment that is past its peak performance point.
Digital transformation is key
The digital transformation of processes facilitates the monitoring of processes and the detection of possible deviations at an early stage. It enables utilities to pinpoint exactly where the optimum potential for savings lies, and thus to propose improvement measures that will lead to the greatest reduction in energy consumption and, consequently, to a faster return on investment.
Energy monitoring is key to setting up a method that monitors parameters, interprets results and assists in decision-making, enabling users to keep their processes constantly up to date, with all the benefits that this entails.
Digital transformation of the infrastructure’s key data means that process evolution can be monitored in real time and equipment performance can be checked, which is very useful for early detection of any incidents that could increase energy consumption. This enables infrastructure to be managed and run close to its peak operating point at all times.
Energy Optimization Plan
The most important factor in achieving energy efficiency in an organization is not only the existence of an energy saving plan, but also the availability of an Energy Optimization Plan to guarantee continuous improvement. These plans are essential to reduce facilities’ energy consumption and CO2 emissions.
The importance of implementing an Energy Optimization Plan lies in recognizing that many energy efficiency initiatives, which are implemented in isolation, are not sustained over time. In general, one-off changes in technology, without systematic organizational support, do not normally generate value or bring stability over time. Thus, the benefits resulting from this type of initiatives, such as cost and greenhouse gas emission reductions, turn out to be one-off actions which are often short-lived.
It is therefore extremely important to establish protocols and methods that guarantee that the benefits of energy efficiency are permanent and continuous.
Six implementation phases
In our opinion, there are six implementation phases in an Energy Optimization Plan. First, basic information needs to be compiled. In this phase, the energy data which will influence the analysis of the objectives in the Energy Optimization Plan are recorded and organized. The second stage processes, analyzes and classifies the data obtained. The third stage focuses on data collection and measurement. The fourth phase consists of the energy diagnosis. The fifth stage puts forward the improvement proposals. Finally, the control and monitoring phase is defined.
Benefits
Rolling out an Energy Optimization Plan brings a series of short- and long-term benefits, which lead to enhanced use of resources and process optimization for the utility and ensure the continuity of energy optimization initiatives over time.
The implementation of this system provides reliable insight into the equipment installed and the energy consumption of each facility. It detects the factors that affect energy consumption, measures the operating point and performance of each piece of equipment to determine its efficiency, and identifies, assesses and classifies the various opportunities for energy savings according to their cost effectiveness.
Digital transformation enables utility managers to accurately, quickly and easily find out where the optimum potential for savings lies, and thus propose the improvement measures that will lead to the greatest reduction in energy consumption and, consequently, to a faster return on investment.
In addition to the intrinsic benefits obtained, it also boosts the company’s corporate image, aligning it with the objectives of the circular economy and respect for the environment, which are of vital importance today for water utilities.
The implementation must be carried out by specialists with in-depth knowledge of this type of infrastructure, as this is the only way to adopt measures that will be successful in the long term and streamline the energy and operational efficiency of processes.
