Global industries, both public and private, are experiencing a heightened awareness of energy concerns driven by factors like population growth, escalating fuel costs, power supply risks, and a growing commitment to environmental sustainability. Post-consumer water use demands energy for collection, transport, and treatment to ensure safe discharge, with wastewater treatment accounting for approximately 1% of global energy consumption. In developed countries, it stands as the primary energy consumer in the water sector, with certain U.S. municipalities attributing 30-50% of their energy bills to water and wastewater utilities.
Efforts to improve energy efficiency (EE) prove cost-effective, offering economic and environmental benefits by reducing operating costs for local governments. These savings can be redirected towards additional investments in energy efficiency and other priorities, contributing to reduced air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, improved energy security, independence, and job creation.
Recognizing the substantial energy conservation potential, heightened awareness emphasizes key drivers impacting the feasibility of EE and renewable energy (RE) projects in water treatment facilities.