Awwa Research Foundation (AwwaRF) recently announced the publication of a new report on a comprehensive risk management framework to assist water utilities in developing effective energy management strategies. The framework encompasses environmental, social and economic outcomes.
Water utilities are increasingly active in managing the energy used to treat and deliver drinking water, compelled by increasing energy costs as well as growing awareness of the impact of energy use on their communities and the environment.
AwwaRF sponsored the study on which this report is based in collaboration with the California Energy Commission to provide water utilities with systematic approaches to effectively manage energy consumption while avoiding unintended consequences to public health and safety or the reliability of their systems.
“The risk management framework provided in this report serves as a comprehensive guide for utilities making operating changes in response to energy-reduction imperatives,” said Robert C. Renner, executive director of AwwaRF. “It will help water suppliers evaluate any potential downside to new energy-management strategies that may impact their system or their environmental and financial goals.”
The risk management framework is applicable both to utilities already engaged in comprehensive energy optimization and to utilities that are focusing first on basic approaches and building an energy management program as they progress.
Source: AwwaRF
