Danfoss And Alliance To Save Energy Discuss Approach, Energy-Efficient Technologies And Policies For Water-Energy Nexus During WEF's Energy & Water 2013 Conference

Danfoss, a leading manufacturer of high efficiency electronic and mechanical components for air-conditioning, heating, refrigeration and motion systems, recently joined with the Alliance to Save Energy to present during Energy & Water 2013: Integrated Solutions for Advancing Technology and Management, a conference and exhibition held by Water Environment Federation (WEF).

Together, John Masters, vice president of sales – water at Danfoss, and Bruce Lung, director of industrial programs at the Alliance to Save Energy, addressed the water/energy nexus in the United States, focusing on energy management, policy mechanisms and technologies to optimize energy use in the energy-intensive water and wastewater treatment sector. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that water, wastewater and irrigation activities serve as the third largest consumer of energy in the country.

In his presentation, Lung discussed the prevalence of water delivery system leaks, and noted its parallel effects on excess water consumption and energy loss. He then presented the Alliance’s Watergy program as a solution to address the link between water and energy and maximize efficiency.

“Since 1997 the Alliance’s Watergy program has been implemented in more than 100 cities in 16 developing countries, often with rapid payback periods. With aging infrastructure, rising or more variable energy costs, and miles of distribution piping being added due to urbanization, water and wastewater treatment will become more energy intensive,” said Lung. “This is why energy efficiency is becoming increasingly critical for the water and wastewater treatment sector.

Through better energy management practices, greater technology adoption and policies that facilitate both, significant gains in water and energy efficiency can be obtained in water and wastewater treatment plants.”

Masters then focused the discussion on today’s readily-available, proven technologies, like variable frequency drives (VFDs), which contribute to increased energy savings and minimized water losses at treatment plants.

“Today, critical processes in water, wastewater and irrigation activities jointly use more than 55 billion kilowatt hours per year, according to U.S. Department of Energy estimates,” explained Masters. “But, it’s been estimated that the innovative, easily-implemented and readily-available technologies on the market today – like variable frequency drives – could save as much as 11 to 18 percent of this energy consumption.”

“Yet, these technologies are often subject to complex regulation and approval processes, which hamper their deployment here in the United States. It’s critical that we seek ways to accelerate the deployment of these existing technologies in order to create the more efficient water systems that will then only encourage rapid deployment of future technology developments.”

Energy & Water 2013 was held May 6-9 in Nashville, Tenn., and addressed technologies that lead to energy neutrality, recovery of useful products and minimization of resources at water and wastewater treatment plants.

In March, Danfoss, WEF and the Alliance to Save Energy released a report developed from the jointly-sponsored Water-Energy Future workshop held in Washington, DC, in November 2012. The workshop focused attention on the need for coordination among stakeholders in the water and energy sector to increase energy efficiency and generation in the water/wastewater treatment sector.

To read the workshop’s report, visit the Danfoss website at http://bit.ly/149IFs8.

About Danfoss:
Danfoss is one of the world's leading manufacturers of high efficiency electronic and mechanical components and controls for air-conditioning, heating, refrigeration and motion systems. We operate in more than 100 countries, employ 25,740 people, and hold more than 1,800 patents on a wide range of products. Our innovative, reliable products are backed by local sales and support to help our customers solve their greatest challenges. With its visionary and committed employees, Danfoss meets the needs of its customers through its EnVisioneering partnerships. EnVisioneering focuses on developing new technologies for sustainable business growth through engineering innovation, energy efficiency and environmental responsibility. For more information, visit www.danfoss.us. For more information about EnVisioneering, visit: www.envisioneering.danfoss.com.