Energy Efficient Management of Water Collection, Treatment, Storage and Distribution

Dear Colleagues,

Water collection, treatment, storage and distribution are inevitable linked with energy consumption. Current systems are primarily designed for uninterrupted service and high product water quality. As a result, substantial savings and recoveries of electrical, potential and thermal energy exist across all parts of current water supply systems. Increasing electricity costs and overall efforts to reduce climate relevant CO2 emissions make the exploitation of those saving potentials economically and ecologically worthwhile. Although the average specific energy consumption for drinking water supply of 0.5 kWh/m³ is already low, large differences exist between regional water suppliers. By options of central action, the water utilities can generated huge amounts of energy savings. For drinking water supply using groundwater as source water, energy savings in the two-digit range can be achieved. In addition, efficient state-of-the-art pumping technologies and intelligent controls offer advantages regarding aging and clogging of drinking water wells. New simulation tools offer the possibility to identify critical and energetically inefficient parts of the supply system and to monitor the need for cleaning, replacement or redesign. Additionally, in the treatment of complex water sources, such as seawater, brackish waters or impaired surface and ground waters, substantial energy savings can be obtained by improved process design or by energy-efficient technology.

This Special Issue of Water will present an overview about ongoing research projects and their current status regarding the topic “water and energy”. The issue welcomes scientific contributions about the evaluation, simulation and reduction of energy consumptions in all sectors of current drinking water supply systems. Contributions regarding energy recovery (electrical, potential, thermal), the exploitation of energy savings in network design and operation, as well as competitive, innovative and energy efficient water treatment technologies are highly encouraged.

Prof. Dr. Mathias Ernst
Dr. Wolf Merkel
Guest Editors

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