Program and Policy Innovations at the Water Energy Nexus, presented by Meredith Younghein at the Electrochemical Energy Summit in San Francisco on October 27.

1. Program and Policy Innovations
at the Water-Energy Nexus
Electrochemical Society Energy-Water Nexus Symposium
Meredith Leigh Younghein, JD
Water/Energy Analyst
California Public Utilities Commission
State Water Resources Control Board

2. Big Picture Questions:
• What is the potential for saving energy and reducing
GHGs via the water sector in CA?
• When water efficiency programs save energy and
reduce GHGs, how do we account for these
savings?
– What is the value to energy and water ratepayers?
– What is the value to California?

3. Water and Climate
AB 32 forms the basis for most climate and energy activities in
California:
AB 32 Scoping Plan (2008) Goals for Water :
• Water Efficiency: 20% by 2020
• Water Recycling: 23% municipal by 2030
• Water System Energy Efficiency: 20% = 4400Gwh/yr
• On-site generation at water agencies 2100 Gwh/yr
• Water/Energy Team of the Climate Action Team Oversight

4. CPUC-Past Efforts on Water-Energy
• Three comprehensive studies on Water-Energy Relationship in
California (2009-2012)
• Water-Energy Pilot Projects (2007-2011)
–
–
–
–
–
Leak/loss detection and pressure management
Landscape irrigation efficiency
High efficiency toilets
Ozone laundry
More
• All materials can be downloaded via:
http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/energy/Energy+Efficiency/WaterEnergy+Nexus+Programs.htm
4

5. CPUC Energy Efficiency Guidance
Decision 12-05-015
DIRECTIVES FOR WATER/ENERGY:
•
•
•
•
5
Document water savings benefits from Energy Efficiency projects
Expand Agricultural programs for water/energy
Work with Local Governments and Regional Energy Networks
Determine potential for program expansion in 2015

6. Current Water/Energy Activities
Investor Owned Utilities, via energy efficiency programs:
1) increase targeting of agricultural and industrial customers--the
largest end users of water in the state.
2) Target programs with small and medium water utilities
3) Develop programs with water agencies for leak-loss
detection/remediation and pressure management services for water
entities
4) Develop cost-effectiveness method for joint-water energy savings
projects
6

7. Current Program Portfolio:
Reducing Energy used by Water Sector
• Energy Efficiency programs:
– “Industrial” Custom projects for water agencies/utilities/districts
– Local Government and Institutional Partnerships
– Agricultural: pumping & irrigation efficiency
• Integrated Demand Side Management
– Encouraging DR and DG simultaneously with EE improvements
• Continuous Energy Improvement
– create and implement strategic energy management plans at water
agencies
7

8. New Activities: Aimed at Embedded Energy
Savings
•
8
Commission Guidance Decision (May 2012)
– IOUs to expand water-energy efficiency programs,
including:
» leak/loss detection and
pressurization studies at water
utilities
» Joint water/energy programs for
industrial and agricultural
customers

9. Examples of New Water/Energy Programs
• SoCalEdison: Leak/Loss Audits/Repairs and Pressurization Studies
– South Bay Cities Council of Governments: Cities of: El Segundo,
Lomita, Manhattan Beach, and Inglewood
– City of Westminster
• San Diego: Commercial Landscape Irrigation Efficiency
– New technologies: moisture sensors, weather prediction
• SoCalEdison: Continuous Energy Improvement Cohort
– Public Water Agencies in Orange County
9

10. Energy Innovations in Water
• Water Agencies in CA are leaders in onsite renewable generation
• Traditional: on-site biogas fired engines at
Wastwater/Sanitation Facilities
• New/emerging: Fuel cells, on-site
wind/solar, in-conduit hydro, transportation
fuels, pipeline injection

11. Inland Empire Utilities Agency Overview
Service Area
• 240 Square Miles
• 850,000 People
• 7 Facilities
•
•
•
•
Wastewater Treatment (4)
Water Treatment (1)
Biosolids Treatment (2)
Composting Facility (1)
• Platinum LEED
Headquarters Building

12. IEUA--Peak Power Independence by 2020
15,000
Conservation / Efficiency
12,000
Summer Peak Load (kW)
Fuel Cell
Wind
9,000
Solar
6,000
3,000
Food Waste to Energy
Purchased from Grid
0
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020

13. IEUA Fuel Cell
Technology
•
•
•
•
On-Line 1/1/13
Run on 75/25 Biogas/NG Blend
2.8 MW gross output
Manufactured by Fuel Cell
Energy
Benefits
•
•
•
•
All Power Used On-Site
Heat Recovered for Process
PPA – No Capital Outlay
$0.126/kWh + 2.5%/yr

14. Fuel Cell Operation Uptime
• Average uptime of
89% since 1/1/13
Fuel Cell Uptime
100%
90%
• Operating on biogas
69% of time
• Major issue
• Dimethyl sulfide
breakthrough
degraded preconverter catalyst
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
March 2013 - NG
PRV failed due to
variable flows;
PRV upgraded
10%
9/6/13 - Dimethyl
Sulfide breakthrough
resulted in catalyst
degradation and DG
10/8/13 – Fuel Cell
shut down for
catalyst
replacement
0%
Operation Uptime
Digester Gas Operation

15. Fuel Cell Power Generation
• 2.35 MW when
operational
• 89% of expected
power output
• Power Cost
~$0.146/kWh
• Includes NG costs
3,000
2,500
Power Output (kW)
• Overall average of
2.14 MW
Average Fuel Cell Power Output (Jan 2013 - Oct 2013)
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
0
Overall Average Power Output

16. Digester Gas Cleaning System
(Key Component of Fuel Cell System)
• Iron sponge for H2S removal
• Moisture removal
• Compression to 20 psig
• Regenerable activated carbon system
• Backup activated carbon system
• Polishing media

17. IEUA Fuel Cell
Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)
Public Sector Role
Private Sector Role
(IEUA)
(UTS BioEnergy/Anaergia)
• Provides host site and fuel
• Funds all project costs
• Purchases electricity
• Design and construction
generated
• Recovers heat for digestion
process
• Operations & Maintenance
• Owns asset

18. OCSD
Fuel Cell
Demonstration
Project
Ellis Avenue
Main
Entrance
Fountain Valley, CA
Project Participants:
Orange County
Water District
Orange County
Sanitation District
• South Coast AQMD
• CARB
Digesters
• National Fuel Cell
Research Center
(UC Irvine)
• Fuel Cell Energy
• Air Products &
Chemicals, Inc.
Ward Street
• US Dept of Energy
Fuel Cell Site
Energy Station
Fueling
Station

19. Fuel Cell Power Generation, Hydrogen Production and
Fuel Consumption from Commissioning to Present

20. 3-Year Fuel Cell Demonstration Project
June 1, 2011 to
May 31, 2014

21. Water Recycling Innovations
• California water agencies produce >500,000
AF3 of recycled water for various purposes*:
– Irrigation (agricultural and urban)
– Groundwater replenishment
– Indirect Potable re-use
– Habitat Enhancement
– Recreational Reservoir replenishment
*Source: Assn. of CA Water Agencies

22. Water Recycling Innovations
Orange County Groundwater
Replenishment System: 2008-present
• Joint project: Orange Co. Sanitation and Water
District
• Total production >120 billion gallons
• Powered (in part) by OCSD Biogas
• Less energy intensive than imported supplies
=GHG reductions

23. Orange County Cont….
3 Step Treatment Process:
(post tertiary wastewater treatment)
1) Microfiltration
2) Reverse-Osmosis
3) UV Disinfection

24. Opportunities at Data Centers
• Utilize wastewater biogas to either power on-site fuel
cells or co-located biogas powered engines/ turbines
• Utilize recycled water for cooling needs
• Examples: UCSD fuel cell uses biogas
• Various data centers being located near WWTP to use
recycled water
• Advocating for data centers to locate near WWTPs in
Bay Area
24

25. Low Carbon Fuel Standard
• California Air Resources Board Program to
measure life-cycle carbon intensity of
transportation fuels
• Staff Proposal to certify “pathway” for
wastewater biogas converted to CNG/LNG
• Initial estimate: -65.3 g CO2e / MJ
• Negative CI = fuel credits under LCFS