Water & Energy Efficiency in Water and Wastewater Facilities

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Step 2: Perform an Energy Audit

What Are Energy Audits?

Performing an energy audit, or a baseline energy evaluation, is a crucial step to assessing and improving energy efficiency. There are many types of energy audits that can be performed at water and wastewater treatment facilities, ranging from general walk-through audits to more comprehensive systematic process audits analyzing one or more end uses.

A walk-through audit provides a "first cut" assessment of energy savings and is used to identify potential opportunities to save energy. While detailed economic analyses of potential energy conservation measures are not performed, a walk-through audit does collect facility energy data, reviews energy bills, compares the facility's unit energy consumption with facilities using similar processes and identifies processes and equipment where energy can be reduced. Equipment audits, such as lighting, heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) and pumping audits, can be performed as part of the walk-through audit or can be a component of a more detailed process audit.

Detailed process audits include evaluating individual components and end uses as well as how the processes and systems work together as a whole. Process audits involve field tests of equipment and systems, discussion of the impacts of specific energy conservation ideas, identification of the energy profiles of individual system components and development of an equipment inventory and corresponding energy consumption data.

Who Performs Energy Audits?

Audits can be performed by any combination of electric utility experts, water and wastewater facility staff, trade associations, and outside energy specialists and contractors. The most important consideration is ensuring the auditor has water/wastewater treatment facility experience. In general, audits performed by the electric utility tend to focus on saving energy, saving money, and maximizing rebates provided by the electric company. Potential advantages of having audits performed by trade associations and outside energy specialists include analysis of the potential for energy production and water re-use.

How Much Do Energy Audits Cost?

This Energy Specialist is performing an energy efficiency audit using a specially designed computer program

Energy Audit

The cost of audits varies, much like the types of audits. In some states, audits are free. In other states, a nominal fee is charged based on the level of audit required. Many electric utilities will match up to 50% of an audit's cost. To get more information on who can perform an audit for you in your state and what incentives and rebates are available to assist you with this, click here:

National

The U.S. Department of Energy offers free one-day walk-through audits for smaller facilities or three-day comprehensive audits for larger facilities through its Save Energy Now Program.

Arizona

Salt River Project provides expert advice and discounts for specific energy upgrades.

Tucson Electric provides an online energy advisor for businesses.

Arizona Public Service (APS) provides financial support for energy audits and other incentives for large and small customers.

California

California Energy Commission provides low interest loans for energy conservation feasibility studies.

The California Public Utility Commission funds the California Wastewater Process Optimization Program (CalPOP) which provides free process audits, installs new equipment, and provides operator training.

Flex Your Power (PDF) (24 pp, 75K, About PDF) provides examples of how some California wastewater treatment facilities have conducted audits or feasibility studies and the facility cost-savings.

Pacific Gas & Electric Company provides two types of free energy audits: the on-site energy audit and the more comprehensive integrated energy audit.

Link to PG&E's Water Treatment Program Web site

Actual PG&E Customer Energy Efficiency Program audit sample (scanned PDF) (5 pp, 290K, About PDF)

Sacramento Municipal Utility District conducts free audits that incorporate both engineering and economic analyses and provides a written report on both energy savings and payback periods.

San Diego Gas and Electric Company offers tools to monitor and track energy use.

Southern California Edison (SCE) offers free energy assessments and additional financial incentives.

Hawaii

Within Hawaii, energy audits are offered by the four power utilities:

Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO),

Maui Electric Company (MECO),

Hawaii Electric Light Company (HELCO),

Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC).

HECO, MECO, and HELCO: Energy assessments are provided via self-audit materials such as the HECO/BOMA Hawaii guidebook which encourages companies to use the BOMA/ EPA Energy Star® Energy Efficiency Program (BEEP®) . Although HECO, MECO and HELCO do not pay for energy audits in their entirety, they will work with businesses to conduct "Energy or Feasibility Studies" and pay 50%, or up to $10,000.00 for each study.

For more information on energy audits and available rebates and incentives:

HECO

MECO

HELCO (PDF) (2 pp, 1.0M, About PDF)

KIUC's Energy Wise Commercial Energy Efficiency Program conducts free energy surveys to identify energy-saving measures and equipment replacement measures eligible for financial rebates and incentives.

Nevada

Within Nevada, energy audits are offered by the power utilities, Sierra Pacific and Nevada Power, via a contract program called Sure Bet. The Sure Bet Program offers both Prescriptive and Custom Incentives to Sierra Pacific Power and Nevada Power non-residential electricity customers. Funding is available for retrofit, new construction, walk-through inspections, and energy audits. Walk-through audits are free. A more comprehensive process audit to help fine-tune energy saving options is available for a nominal fee.

More Information

Sierra Pacific

Nevada Power

Sure Bet Team