Barriers and drivers to energy efficiency in the Portuguese water sector: Survey analysis

Abstract

Over the last decade, there has been heavy pressure to improve the energy and environmental performances of operations, systems, and facilities in the water supply and wastewater treatment sector. However, the almost non-existent assessment of the barriers and drivers that respectively hinder and potentiate the energy efficiency in the sector inhibits a proper understanding of how energy efficiency policies, strategies, and interventions play out on the ground and their level of success or failure. To help bridge this gap, a set of questionnaires was conducted to Portuguese water and wastewater utilities to identify the most prevalent barriers and drivers of energy efficiency. Results show that the three main barriers to energy efficiency are the lack of human resources, the need to focus on daily operational issues, and diverging priorities for different departments. In turn, the top three drivers are the reduction of operating costs due to lower energy costs, the existence of support and financing lines dedicated to energy efficiency, and the willingness to improve the image and social responsibility of the utilities. They also show that improving access to different types of financing in downstream utilities is essential to drive energy efficiency, while for upstream ones, legal and regulatory incentives, such as setting energy and environmental targets, are more beneficial. Finally, the main findings of this study can help decision-makers and legislators define sector-oriented policies adjusted to the different types of utilities that will leverage the adoption of energy efficiency measures and strategies in water and wastewater utilities worldwide.