Water sector toolbox for municipal energy efficiency implementation

Water supply systems are one of the predominant energy demand sources of municipalities, entailing shares in the order of 30 to 50% of their electricity bill, with significant variations of ranges. The water-energy nexus is based on the reality that treating water for human consumption and moving treated water to the consumer is an extremely energy intensive undertaking. Every litre of water served through a system represents a significant energy cost, so that energy inefficiencies and water losses have a strong impact due to the cascade of actions downstream from the consumer.

Implemented successful projects promoting energy efficient actions show that cost-effective energy actions can reduce the energy consumption 10 to 40% per measure both for developing and industrialized countries with average payback periods lower than 5 years.

Based on our own experience and international best practices, the Centre has developed a water toolbox to disseminate and circulate success stories to engage other cities, countries or organisations that could be potential partners in replicating successful activities. The toolbox provides the following solutions for the lighting sector with the aim to accelerate the energy efficiency at a local level:

  • Self-rapid assessment online tool of potential energy efficiency opportunities and possible benefits of specific EE actions in water supply systems (WSS)
  • Guidelines for Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) for WSS
  • Contract templates and parameters to be included in the tender
  • Financial solutions
  • Recommendations for Measure and Verification process
  • Creating partnerships and projects ready for implementation and replication
  • Dissemination material on best practices and study cases