A Statistical Approach to the Embedded Energy in Water: Understanding Variance in Space and Time Across Hydraulic Systems

The goal of this study is to develop and apply a method for providing a high-resolution characterization of the spatial and temporal variability of energy intensity in the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) water system.

The water sector is an emerging target for energy efficiency (EE) efforts in the State of California (California Public Utility Commission Rulemaking 09-11-014). Effectively allocating EE dollars to water system energy savings requires a clear, defensible calculation of energy intensity (EI) within the hydraulic life cycle. Advancing the quality of design and ease of deployment of projects that save energy through targeted water conservation demands an improved confidence in these calculations. Specifically, understanding the spatial and temporal distribution of energy use in the water sector will allow for better prediction, targeting, and monitoring of energy savings through water conservation. Toward this end, the Center for Water-Energy Efficiency (CWEE) at UC Davis assessed the statistical variance of EI in space and time for the EBMUD water system.