Water/Energy Nexus
One of the state’s largest end uses of electricity is in the treatment, heating, and conveyance of water in California. This is known to many as the “Water/Energy Nexus.” The IOUs currently offer many incentive programs in the areas of energy efficiency, demand response, and distributed generation related to the water/energy nexus.
The CPUC recently authorized a series of pilot programs exploring whether energy savings may be realized through water conservation measures. Implicit in this approach is the concept that saving water saves energy. The Energy Division is currently analyzing whether an increase in energy efficiency portfolio emphasis on measures that maximize energy savings in the water sector – such as through leak loss detection and enhancement of water systems efficiency – may be warranted. The Energy Division is also currently considering how cost effectiveness should be analyzed for water/energy nexus programs.
R.13-12-011 grants the Petition for Rulemaking of the Division of Ratepayer Advocates requesting that the Commission open a Rulemaking proceeding to develop a partnership framework between investor owned energy utilities and the water sector to co-fund programs that reduce energy consumption by the water sector in supplying, conveying, treating, and distributing water.
R.13-12-011 now has 4 tracks focused on implementation of D.15-09-011. They are listed below, along with related documents.
Track 1: AMI Utilization in Water and Energy Savings
On January 19, 2016, a workshop was held
on the topic of water and energy agency pilots to utilize the use of
Advance Metering Infrastructure to maximize water and energy savings.
Presentations are below.
Track 2: Matinee Pricing Tariff Pilots
On February 24, 2016, a workshop was held on the topic of matinee pricing.Presentations are below.
Track 3: Water Energy Cost Effectiveness Calculator 2.0
- On April 6, 2016, a workshop was held to discuss potential updates to the Water-Energy Cost Effectiveness Calculator.
Presentations are below.
Track 4: Water / Energy /Telecommunications Nexus
Water Energy Communications Workshop at CalOES – telecommunications to better manage water and energy, ensure public safety and enhance fire safety in the State of California
Part 1: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/76634731
Part 2: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/76648674
Upcoming Workshops:
None at this time
Past Workshops:
- On March 10, 2021 a workshop was held to share a presentation of the draft WEN Workplan and solicit stakeholder feedback.
- On May 4, 2015 a workshop was held on the topic of cost
allocation. The panelists’ presentations are available at the links
below. The panelists were:
All Party Workshop, February 11, 2015, 10:00 am-4:00 pm Water/Energy Nexus R. 13-12-011
Discussion of Proposed Cost Calculator to Identify the Water/Energy Nexus
- This All Party Workshop will facilitate discussion among parties on the topic of the Water/Energy Nexus Proposed Cost Calculator. There will be a presentation on the Proposed Water/Energy Nexus Cost Calculator. A link to the slides is provided here: CPUC Water-Energy CE - February Workshop Slides.
The Energy Division hosted a public workshop on Water-Energy cost-effectiveness calculator on October 14, 2014, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm in the Commission’s Auditorium. The purpose of this workshop will be to present a proposal on the cost-effectiveness calculator. This workshop follows up on the project work discussed at the January, April, and July 2014 workshops. Those wishing to gain more familiarity with this work are encouraged to review materials from the earlier workshops. The prior material can be found below the workshop details.
The workshop Agenda and materials can be found at these links.
Agenda
Workshop Slides
Public report
Avoided water capacity cost model
Water-Energy calculator model
Below is a link to Administrative Law Judge Edmister’ s Ruling Seeking Post-Workshop Comments on April 25, 2014 Proposal for Determination of Marginal Water Supply for Use in Embedded Energy Cost Calculator.
http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/SearchRes.aspx?docformat=ALL&docid=98406506
The Energy Division hosted a public workshop on Water-Energy avoided cost of marginal water supplies on July 1, 2014, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm in the Commission’s Courtyard Room. The purpose of this workshop will be to present a staff proposal on avoided cost calculation methodology and tools. This workshop follows up on the project work discussed at the January and April 2014 workshops. Those wishing to gain more familiarity with this work are encouraged to review materials from the earlier workshops. The draft workshop Agenda and Presentation can be found at these links.
The Energy Division will be hosting a public workshop on Water-Energy marginal water supply and avoided costs on April 25. The purpose of this workshop will be to present a staff proposal on marginal supply and preview the avoided cost calculations methodology and tools. This workshop follows up on the project work discussed at the January 30, 2014 workshop. Those wishing to gain more familiarity with this work are encouraged to review materials from the earlier workshops.
Workshop Agenda
Workshop Presentation
The Energy Division will be hosting a public workshop on Water-Energy Cost Effectiveness on January 30th. The purpose of this workshop will be to present an overview of the Water-Energy Cost-Effectiveness project being conducted for the CPUC by Navigant Consulting in 2014. This project is a result of the Cost Effectiveness Framework proposed by Staff at the Water-Energy public workshop in March 2013. Those who are unfamiliar with this work are encouraged to review materials from the March 2013 workshop.
Final Presentations:
Water-Energy Project Overview Presentation (Staff)
Water-Energy Cost Effectiveness Workplan Presentation (Navigant)
Summary of Water-Energy Project Coordination Group Discussions
The Energy Division hosted a workshop on programs and cost-effectiveness related to the Water/Energy Nexus on March 20-21, 2013, at the CPUC in San Francisco. These workshops were held in response to the most recent Energy Efficiency Guidance Decision, 12-05-015, which gave direction on programs related to the Water/Energy nexus. - Workshop Agenda
- Staff Proposal for a Water/Energy Cost Effectiveness Framework
- Workshop Presentations:
Water Energy Programs:
Embedded Energy in Water Studies and Pilots:
The Commission directed the IOUs to partner with water agencies and implement programs to decrease the amount of energy used to obtain, treat and distribute water to end-use customers. Read Water Studies 1, 2 and 3 and the Embedded Energy in Water Pilot Programs Impact Evaluation.