Document Type
Journal Article
Department/Unit
Department of Economics
Title
Operational energy-efficiency improvement of municipal water pumping in California
Language
English
Abstract
This paper implements a normalization/regression-based approach to estimate the kWh energy and kW savings from an experimental OEEP (operational energy-efficiency program) for municipal water pumping in California. The voluminous 1-min data collected in the course of the OEEP presents a unique opportunity to analyze how VSD (variable-speed drive) technology aided by a PLC (programmable-logic-controller) may improve municipal water pumping's operational energy efficiency. Our proposed approach enables a comparison of pump operations with and without the OEEP, yielding accurate estimates for kWh energy and kW capacity savings that are useful in evaluation, monitoring, and verification of the program. Our findings lead us to conclude that (a) variability of efficacy by analyzed pump sites suggests targeted implementation of the OEEP; and (b) for a correctly-sized pump operating near its optimal kW-output value, adding a VSD and PLC can actually harm the pumping system's overall energy-efficiency. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.
Keywords
Energy efficiency, Regression, Variable-speed drive, Water pumping
Publication Date
2013
Source Publication Title
Energy
Volume
53
Start Page
237
End Page
243
Publisher
Elsevier
DOI
10.1016/j.energy.2013.02.012
Link to Publisher's Edition
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2013.02.012
ISSN (print)
03605442
ISSN (electronic)
18736785
Recommended Citation
DeBenedictis, A., B. Haley, C. K. Woo, and E. Cutter. "Operational energy-efficiency improvement of municipal water pumping in California." Energy 53 (2013): 237-243.