A novel energy balance tailored for wastewater systems. Issue 5 (28th May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jorge, Catarina; Almeida, Maria Do Céu; Covas, Dídia
• Is Part Of: Urban water journal. Volume 19:Issue 5(2022)
• Page Start: 441
• Page End: 452
• Publication Date: 2022-05-28
• Subjects: Energy balance -- energy efficiency -- pumping stations -- wastewater systems; Municipal water supply -- Management -- Periodicals; Water-supply -- Planning -- Periodicals; 628.1
• DOI: 10.1080/1573062X.2022.2035409
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1573-062X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This paper presents a novel energy balance scheme tailored for assessing energy efficiency in wastewater systems. It provides a consistent method to calculate the energy components associated with wastewater transport processes, allowing the quantification of the main water-energy inefficiencies. Three assessment levels are described (macro, meso and micro-level), depending on available information and scope. This balance allows a holistic approach of wastewater systems energy efficiency, including the system layout, losses in pipes/manholes, energy associated with undue inflows, exceedance volumes and energy recovery. The energy balance is applied to realcase studies. The energy associated with undue inflows represents from 20% to 44% of the external energy, with low average efficiencies of wastewater pumping systems (34%) and inflow intrinsic energy representing 64% of the total energy. This energy balance supports the performance diagnosis and the development of energy efficiency improvement measures.