Abstract
Energy intensity, Ie (kWh/m3) is the most popular indicator when characterizing the energy requirements of the water cycle, due to its direct and easy interpretation. In pressurized water transport systems, when referred to an appropriate physical framework (such as a single water transport pipeline), it assesses the efficiency of the process. However, in complex urban water transport networks, Ie only provides a basic notion of the energy needs of the system. The aim of this paper is to define a standard physical framework for assessing the energy intensity in water transport and distribution systems. To that purpose, an analytic expression that estimates Ie is proposed, based on system data and its operating conditions. The results allow for a realistic approximation of the energy needs of water transport. This energy assessment is completed with two context indicators: energy origin (C1) and topographic energy (θt), both essential when the energy efficiency of different systems is to be compared.
Highlights
Efficiency is nowadays essential to maintaining the current standard of living without compromising the prospects of future generations
In order to use it for comparative performance assessment, the indicator needs to be applied to a coherent physical framework and include all supplied energy
These two requirements are met in almost all the stages of the integral water cycle, and yet many of the analyses carried out in the transport phase for pressurized networks do not consider them [49]
Summary
Efficiency is nowadays essential to maintaining the current standard of living without compromising the prospects of future generations. In a climate change context, efficiency is the key to harmonizing population growth with the rising scarcity of natural resources. The increasing commitment to circular economy aims to maximize efficiency [1]. In this context, the use of water and energy must be fully optimized. The use of water and energy must be fully optimized As these two resources are coupled, a joint analysis on the integral water use cycle is required. The energy intensity indicator, Ie , is relevant for this assessment, as it shows the relationship between both resources (kWh/m3 ) and is used to energetically characterize the whole water use cycle
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