Utility Horizons - Second Quarter 2013 - (Page 60)

Intersections Insider Perspectives on Utility Automation By John Cooper, Contributing Editor Energy-Water Nexus Opens Doors for Small Utilities What is the Energy-Water Nexus? In our increasingly complex world, vital infrastructures are inextricably interconnected. More speciﬁcally, because water and electricity are tightly and intricately linked – we use the term “nexus” to describe that interconnection. wastewater that must be treated and disposed of – and requiring still more energy to process. Smaller utilities in particular have much to gain from understanding how these two infrastructures work together and how they may be able to leverage this interaction for greater efﬁciency, lower carbon impact, The World Economic Forum 1 has tracked the Energyand improved business results. Until now, we have Water Nexus for years. A 2012 report added food 2 to acted as if both water and energy will always be there the equation, and the World Economic Forum has when we need it. The challenge we are just beginning recently added climate 3 to the mix as well. to face is that our access to water is increasingly unpredictable – given the changes in climate and In greater and greater use, “nexus” is a valuable population growth – and economic growth promises term that deserves our increasing demand for attention to understand its both water and energy. potential impact in coming All communities have a years. The nature of the tremendous responsibility Energy-Water nexus is to their constituencies to complex, but its principles ensure adequate water oogle “energy-water nexus” and are straightforward. supplies, and meeting you’ll ﬁnd a number of articles that reference Generating electricity that responsibility means in traditional fossil more than simply securing the connection between energy and water, with fuel plants consumes long-term contractual special focus on the gravity of the situation in massive quantities of access to water rights. It China and the Middle East, in particular. water. Likewise, pumping also means focusing on and treating water and conservation – one of the wastewater is a huge best means to conserve In this column, I’m less focused on the gravity consumer of electricity, as water is to eliminate waste of the scenario from a climate perspective, and are agricultural uses where – from non-essential uses feedstock is converted to to leaks in pipes. certainly, less focused on global hotspots like biofuels, and in oil and gas China and the Middle East. production. In the remainder of this column, we’ll take a However, it is not just the closer look at the EnergyMy fascination is the missed opportunity amount of water used for Water Nexus and the that occurs when small utilities that have these purposes that is role that technology and both energy and water infrastructure under a signiﬁcant, but also what data play in helping utility happens to it; that is, the operators to manage common municipal umbrella of ownership and water can also become their infrastructure more operation fail to take advantage of their unique polluted as it is used. effectively. So what are positioning. Development of oil and some steps available to an gas resources results operator of a small utility in “produced water,” when contemplating the the industry term for energy-water nexus on the G 1 3 2 See World Economic Forum 2009 See Grace Communications Foundation - Food, Water and Energy: Know the Nexus See The Water-Energy-Food-Climate Nexus 60 • UTILITY HORIZONS • Q2 - 2013 www.UtilityHorizons.com http://www.UtilityHorizons.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Utility Horizons - Second Quarter 2013

Utility Horizons - Second Quarter 2013
Publisher’s Message
Contents
The Queue
Automation Rising!
Inside Tracks
Focal Point
Automation and Innovation at Epcor Water Services
BLeading Edge: Advanced Technology Perspectives
Consumer Engagement: The Future Goes Mobile
Demand Response: Why the Future Is in the Cloud
Building Paths to Smarter Water Management
Bullet-Proofing Your Scada System Against the Evil-Doers
Education Matters
Standard Bearings
Regulation De Rigueur
On the Horizon
Purviews
Intersections
Eventualities
Thinking It Through With Sparky Flamedrop
Loose Ends

Utility Horizons - Second Quarter 2013

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