Well regulated against the thirst for energy

The water and wastewater industry accounts for around four percent of total global energy consumption. In view of the increasing demand for water from the world's population and industry, the issue of energy efficiency is becoming ever more pressing, not least against the backdrop of the climate targets set out in the Green Deal. According to projections, energy consumption in the water industry could be reduced by up to 15 percent by 2040 with appropriate measures.

To identify potential savings, it is worth taking a closer look at the most energy-intensive processes in water and wastewater plants. In water treatment, for example, up to 85 percent of energy consumption is used to pump water, mainly with centrifugal pumps. Pumps for pumping water also account for the lion's share of energy consumption in the irrigation of agricultural land. In wastewater treatment, up to 60 percent of the energy consumed in a sewage treatment plant is used for revitalizing and pumping the sewage water. Pumping, dewatering and thickening the sewage sludge is also very energy-intensive.

All these processes have pumping systems in common. These therefore also represent a significant adjusting screw for greater energy efficiency. By using frequency converters and more energy-efficient high-efficiency motors, water and wastewater treatment plants can significantly reduce their energy consumption. Digital solutions offer further potential. For example, optimizing the control of pumping systems in wastewater treatment plants would consume about 10 to 20 percent less energy.

ABB Motion's new white paper, "Energy Efficiency as a Challenge for Water and Wastewater Utilities," provides decision-makers in the water and wastewater industry with ideas on how they can use efficient drive solutions to reduce energy consumption and thus also improve the environmental footprint of their plants. Projects from the areas of wastewater, drinking water, desalination and irrigation are also listed, for example the Bocholt wastewater treatment plant.