Comparison of operational energy requirements in publicly and privately owned U.S. water utilities

One question in the ongoing discussion about privatization in the water industry is whether publicly or privately owned water utilities are more efficient. This study examines the question from an energy perspective using new data from water systems in the United States. Economic theory predicts that privately owned water utilities should use less energy relative to output than their public counterparts. However, no statistically significant difference was found between the two types of systems. This finding aligns with others indicating that privately owned water utilities do not necessarily perform better than publicly owned water utilities and suggests that energy management policies and practices should regard both types similarly.     

Revenue decoupling,energy demand,and energy efficiency: Empirical evidence from the U.S. electricity sector

This paper investigates the relationship between the regulatory policy revenue decoupling, which separates utilities’ revenue from sales fluctuations, and electricity customers’ energy demand and efficiency in the U.S. electricity sector. To this end, we use recent Stochastic Frontier Analysis estimation techniques that account for both persistent and transient energy efficiency. The results show a significant negative correlation between decoupling and electricity consumption. However, the implementation year, which serves as a reference for price adjustments, is associated with increasing electricity demand and decreasing transient energy efficiency. Therefore, utilities seem to anticipate the implementation of decoupling, which partially offsets the benefits.     

The Energy Concept Adviser—A tool to improve energy efficiency in educational buildings

Educational buildings such as kindergartens, schools and universities display many similar design, operation and maintenance features in most countries. The two most noteworthy similarities amongst these building types are the high energy consumption and the necessity for retrofitting many buildings within this sector. However, studies have shown that during retrofit, energy saving measures are only rarely applied, because the decision-makers lack knowledge of investments and the efficiency of potential energy saving measures. The main goal of the International Energy Agency ECBCS Annex 36 is to provide the educational building decision-makers with sufficient data, information and tools to improve their learning and teaching environments by improving the energy efficiency of their buildings.     

Renewable energy harvesting from water flow

The hydrokinetic energy of flowing water is plentiful, environment-friendly, renewable and can be harvested. This paper reports a new energy harvesting system using vortex-induced vibration (VIV). The proposed convertor harvests vibrations of a bluff body resulting from interaction of the alternating vortices created by the unsteady separation. These vortices are shed from the sides of the bluff body and form a pattern in the wake known as the von Kármán vortex street. The vortices create unsteady loading and induce vibrations with a predictable frequency and amplitude. Assisted by the bluff body with specific geometry and piezoelectric generators, the kinetic energy of the water flow can be converted into mechanical vibrations and electrical energy. In order to maximise the output energy of the harvester, the natural frequency of the mechanical system needs to lock into the frequency of the VIVs. Thus, the geometry of the bluff body has to be optimised to match the natural frequency of the convertor. This study examines the conceptual design of the physical model. The fluid–structure interaction model is applied to study the preliminary design. The maximum energy density that can be extracted by the proposed convertor from the water flow with velocities from 0.2 to 1 m/s is also estimated.Abbreviations: 1.CFD Computational Fluid Dynamics; 2.DC Direct Current (electricity); 3.FIM Fluid Induced Motion; 4.ODE Ordinary Differential Equation; 5.PTC Passive Turbulence Control; 6.VIV Vortex Induced Vibration; 7.VIVACE Vortex Induced Vibration Aquatic Clean Energy; 8.2D Two Dimensional     

On the relation between the energy and social characteristics of the residential sector

Social, financial, energy and technical data from about 1110 households have been collected during 2004 in the major Athens area. The sample has been divided in seven income groups and a detailed analysis has been performed. Important conclusions have been drawn regarding the quality of households, the operational conditions and the energy spent per income group. Low income people are more likely to be living in old buildings with poor envelope conditions. The cost per person and unit area is much higher for the low income group for both heating and electricity. Fuel poverty is quite high, especially when the actual oil prices are considered.     

Public–public partnerships in the Finnish water services sector

Public–public partnerships (PUPs) are emerging in the water and sewerage sector as an alternative to improve the performance of water and sewerage undertakings. While most of the research on PUPs has concentrated on development and international partnerships, examples can also be found in developed countries. This article presents two relatively recent cases of PUPs in Finland, one of which is already in operation and the other in transition from planning to implementation. The good experiences from the two cases add to the evidence that PUPs indeed offer a viable solution for cooperation in the water services sector.     

Development of an energy model for the residential sector: Electricity consumption in Andalusia, Spain

Electrical energy consumption in the residential sector has soared over the years. This is largely due to the growing number of residential housing units. The development of models allows us to estimate and predict the evolution and behavior of electricity consumption in this sector as well as its end-uses. The data thus obtained are extremely useful for the elaboration of energy-saving measures that can enhance energy efficiency. In June 2008 the Spanish government approved a set of guidelines in the document titled, Estrategia Española de Cambio Climático y Energía Limpia [Spanish Strategy for Climate Change and Clean Energy]. Its main objective was to replace conventional incandescent light bulbs with energy-saving light bulbs in the residential sector. This process would be carried out over a three-year period.This article describes the design, development, and application of a model capable of calculating electricity consumption for lighting in the residential housing sector. These results were reinforced by data from questionnaires administered to a representative sample of households. Finally, this energy model was applied to Andalusia. This allowed us to obtain the savings in electricity consumption for lighting when the objectives in the Spanish strategy for energy conservation had been achieved.     

Knowledge,sustainability and corporate strategies in the European energy sector

The paper analyses the apparent position of the European Union and the largest European energy corporations concerning the energy future of Europe and the environmental impacts of their business activities. In contrast to growing public concern at the long-term environmental, economic and social consequences of the reliance on non-renewable energy sources, official words about sustainable development are copious, but ineffective in producing investment in public and private research and development expenditures in the energy sector. Apart from the economic and social problems of the innovation deficit of the European Union, the stagnant and shrinking expenditures also raise ethical dilemmas linked to the questions of intergenerational equity. If we believe that there are technological solutions to our environmental problems we should redefine the corporate responsibility in terms of knowledge production, use and dissemination, too.     

Basic actions to improve energy efficiency in commercial buildings in operation

Numerous studies have focused on improving energy efficiency in commercial buildings. Engineers and researchers have developed complex methods to improve energy efficiency, but buildings are often managed by non-specialised technicians who need understandable and cost-effective actions to implement in their buildings. This paper presents basic actions on which to base improvements in energy efficiency in commercial buildings in operation. Furthermore, obtained results and details of the implementation of these techniques in various buildings in the Universitat Politècnica de València are presented.     

Consumer involvement in water services regulation

Stakeholder participation may act as a substitute for the missing feedback links between (monopoly) water service providers and consumers. In the urban water sector, progress towards effective engagement with the general public is lagging behind the rhetoric, with even fewer attempts to engage low-income, presently often informal, consumers. This paper argues the case for consumer involvement as an essential part of the regulatory process, not only to enable positive service development, but also as a means to support the legitimacy of young or fragile regulatory agencies. Risks and constraints of different arrangements for involvement are discussed based on an examination of international experiences. Case study findings suggest that there is scope for a more proactive approach under a more inclusive framework for consumer involvement, though the actual choice of mechanism to gauge consumers’ interests, for which there are numerous options, appears to be of lesser importance.     

Assessing the public-private partnership handover: Experience from China's water sector

Most infrastructure public-private partnerships (PPPs) are returned to the government once the contract term expires. Before the handover, a preparatory period, known as the “handover stage (HS),” is needed to determine whether the project is fit for handover. However, to date, no means to assess the performance status of the handover management has been established. This study addresses this practical demand by establishing a definition of handover success and identifying and evaluating criteria for the measurement of handover success, which contributes to a better understanding of HS management.     

Unequal access to energy efficiency in US multifamily rental housing: opportunities to improve

The energy efficiency of US multifamily rental housing is compared with other housing types. A real and growing energy efficiency gap is documented, particularly for lower income households. Findings are based on data from the 2005 and 2009 US Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS). Individual energy efficiency features related to HVAC (heating, ventilation and cooling) systems, appliances, and the building envelope are analysed along with weighted and unweighted total energy efficiency indices. Multifamily units occupied by low income renters had 4.1 fewer energy efficiency features in 2005 and 4.7 fewer in 2009 compared with other households. If the number of efficiency features was on par with other housing, the savings could be in the range of US$200–400 per year for most lower-income renters in multifamily buildings. There is an astonishing lack of information on how efficiency retrofits would affect property (real estate) metrics such as cash flow and value. Available evidence suggests that millions of US properties could be good retrofit investment opportunities. Better efficiency would allow renters to increase spending on food, healthcare and other essentials. This is not only an economic issue: it has implications for household health, social equity and environmental problems tied to energy consumption.     

Embodied energy comparison of surface water and groundwater supply options

The embodied energy associated with water provision comprises an important part of water management, and is important when considering sustainability. In this study, an input-output based hybrid analysis integrated with structural path analysis was used to develop an embodied energy model. The model was applied to a groundwater supply system (Kalamazoo, Michigan) and a surface water supply system (Tampa, Florida). The two systems evaluated have comparable total energy embodiments based on unit water production. However, the onsite energy use of the groundwater supply system is approximately 27% greater than the surface water supply system. This was primarily due to more extensive pumping requirements. On the other hand, the groundwater system uses approximately 31% less indirect energy than the surface water system, mainly because of fewer chemicals used for treatment. The results from this and other studies were also compiled to provide a relative comparison of embodied energy for major water supply options.     

A review of global research on private investment in the water sector

This study critically examines the evidence on private-sector water investment over the past 24 years. It provides a basis on which future research can consider how global water investment issues can be better addressed. Moreover, this study exhibits scenarios of water investment performance that can potentially help investors make better investment decisions. Overall, we find that the water sector is expanding, and the market appears to be resistant to economic forces, suggesting that private investors can obtain positive returns.     

Meso-institutions: The variety of regulatory arrangements in the water sector

There are many different ways to regulate water utilities. By focusing almost exclusively on regulatory agencies, the literature has missed important alternatives regarding the mechanisms through which the general rules of the game, defined at the macro-institutional level, interact with operators organizing transactions at the micro-level. Building on recent developments in organization theory and on the distinction between property rights and decision rights, this paper explores the variety of arrangements, identified as ‘meso-institutions,’ providing these links. The analysis is substantiated through a comparative approach to the drinkable water systems in France, England and Whales, and the Netherlands.     

从漳州市中心城区给水专项规划刍议城市给水工程规划用水量规模的确定

水是生命之源,城市给水系统是保证城市、工矿企业等用水的各项构筑物和输配水管网组成的系统,水在日常和生产生活中占有极其重要的地位,确定城市给水工程规划水量规模十分重要,本文就城市给水规划如何预测用水量等有关问题结合我市给水工程规划工程予以探讨。     

Stakeholder management mapping to improve public-private partnership success in emerging country water projects: Indonesia’s experience

Public-private partnerships for water projects are complicated and involve multi-level stakeholders. This study was conducted to map the stakeholder management process based on institutional analysis to improve water project success. This research used qualitative content analysis with an interpretive approach, and the results demonstrated the coercive role of the central government in supporting, monitoring, and governing projects. This role brings confidence to local governments in terms of project commitment, communication, and championship. In this context, professional managers can assess project feasibility, develop scope, design contracts, and attract private-sector involvement.     

What rights and whose responsibilities in water? Revisiting the purpose and reassessing the value of water services tariffs

Access to water and sanitation are recognized as human rights by the United Nations, reflecting their vital importance to every person's life. At a fundamental level - delivering minimum standards of water services to meet basic human needs - it is a simple equation. People are rights-holders and States are responsible under international law to provide those services. Rights-holders can claim their rights and duty-bearers must guarantee the rights to water and sanitation equally and without discrimination. This paper explores the relationship between the human rights to water and sanitation, the Sustainable Development Goals, water services and the role of water service tariffs in helping or hindering delivery of a broad range of societal objectives, including human rights and sustainability. Two key questions emerge: (i) What are the rights that apply in these circumstances and who is responsible for addressing those rights? (ii) How can the viability of the water service system be maintained without imposing dramatic price increase, and without compromising the social and human right to water in good quality and affordable conditions? In this paper we argue that human rights to water and sanitation, and the tariffs that are applied to them, should not be addressed as technical problems but rather as social and political issues of justice. We conclude that the re-politicisation of water, and of the setting of water tariffs, would help ensure that the responsibilities upon Governments for delivering human rights to water and sanitation are clear.     

给排水工程的绿色环保

近年来,节能环保问题,已经成了建筑行业可持续发展的关键性问题。建筑给水排水作为建筑内部的重要组成部分,设计人员在设计时除了要满足人们可居住性和舒适性的要求外,更应该注意给排水的绿色环保。