Conceptual framework for decentralized green water‐infrastructure systems |
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Authors: | Juneseok Lee Ki‐Hwan Bae Tamim Younos |
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Affiliation: | 1. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA 95126;2. Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Louisville, Louisville;3. Green Water‐Infrastructure Academy, Washington, DC |
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Abstract: | We present a model for a decentralized green water‐infrastructure system (DGWIS) based on a new conceptual framework that optimises the use of captured rainwater, recycled wastewater and renewable energy resources. DGWIS is designed for building‐scale localised water supply systems that utilise rainwater and greywater and incorporate advanced small‐scale water treatment systems and renewable local energy sources such as solar and wind. Several constraints are considered: (i) available renewable energy; (ii) greywater production rate; (iii) potential captured rainwater; (iv) water demand; (v) water storage volumes required to accommodate greywater, harvested rainwater and separate water/energy supplies from the city and (vi) water treatment capacities. The proposed DGWIS optimisation framework demonstrates proof‐of‐concept and provides a solid foundation for an innovative paradigm shift towards water and energy sustainability. |
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Keywords: | decentralized green water‐infrastructure system greywater optimisation framework rainwater harvesting renewable energy |
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