Optimization of Energy Consumption in Municipal Drinking Water Treatment Systems

饮用水的生产和分配是能源密集型的，通常占城市电力需求的5%。电力也是与水生产相关的最高成本之一，占运营成本的三分之一以上。由于用水量的减少和运营费用的增加，市政自来水供应商寻求确定新的战略，以降低生产成本和提高效率，同时继续向消费者提供高质量的饮用水。能源优化已被确定为一个潜在的改进领域，这可能会带来大量节省。之前对市政供水基础设施的评估发现，在非高峰时间安排生产、采用更节能的工艺设备和确保及时进行维护，可能会节省5%-25%的能源成本。 本研究旨在以米德兰镇为例，评估与能源消耗相关的饮用水处理和分配成本。这项研究将实施一个创新的、联网的能源监测网络，包括关键的处理和分配基础设施，以便它可以为运营人员提供有关能源使用的实时信息。预计该项目将产生一种数据分析协议，使工程师和操作员能够做出有关设施运营的明智决策。这项研究的结果有可能通过降低处理和分配成本、提高效率和降低用户成本，使加拿大各地的市政自来水供应商受益。

The production and distribution of drinking water is energy intensive, often attributed to >5% of the electricity demand for a city. Electricity is also one of the highest costs related to water production, representing more than one-third of operational costs. Due to reductions in water consumption and increased operating expenses, municipal water providers seek to identify new strategies to reduce production costs and improve efficiency, while continuing to provide high-quality drinking water to consumers. Energy optimization has been identified as a potential area of improvement which may result in substantial savings. Previous evaluations of municipal water infrastructure have identified potential energy cost savings of 5-25% associated with scheduling production during off-peak hours, incorporation of more energy efficient processes equipment and ensuring that timely maintenance is performed. This research aims to evaluate drinking water treatment and distribution costs associated with energy consumption using the Town of Midland as a case study. This research will implement an innovative, internet-enabled energy monitoring network encompassing critical treatment and distribution infrastructure such that it may provide operations personnel with real-time information regarding energy use. It is anticipated that this project will produce a data analysis protocol which allows engineers and operators to make informed decisions regarding facility operation. Outcomes of this research have the potential to benefit municipal water providers across Canada by reducing the costs of treatment and distribution, allowing for improved efficiency and lower costs to consumers.