A benchmarking index for water and wastewater plants is nearing completion and could be available by the end of the year. Stephen Carlson of CDH Energy Corporation presented a preliminary version during a breakout session at the Industry Partners Meeting, including a beta benchmarking spreadsheet tool.

The objective of this project is to produce industry-wide energy performance metrics to describe the performance of water and wastewater utilities. These metrics will subsequently be incorporated into a comparison framework (benchmarking tool) to facilitate internal and external comparisons within and between utilities.

The work for this project is being funded by the American Water Works Association Research Foundation (AwwaRF), with support from the California Energy Commission and NYSERDA. A draft methodology has been released for comment.

CEE and EPA are members of a project advisory committee, which includes CEE members NYSERDA, CEC and PG&E. This advisory committee is currently reviewing the draft methodology, which is based on a nationwide survey of energy use, and other key characteristics, of water and wastewater facilities.

The analysis is based on the multi-parameter approach that EPA used in the development of an ENERGY STAR benchmarking tool for commercial buildings.

Recently AwwaRF agreed to release the survey data and the beta benchmarking spreadsheet tool to EPA and Oak Ridge National Laboratory staff for the purpose of more thoroughly reviewing the data, calculations and assumptions. CEE’s Water and Wastewater Committee will be in communication with EPA during this review.

Both CEE and ENERGY STAR are hoping to use the resulting benchmarking tool in their water/wastewater programs.

“A nationally recognized benchmarking tool that is supported by the water industry, ENERGY STAR and the energy-efficiency program community would be a major asset in raise awareness levels of facility energy performance and energy-efficiency opportunities,” said CEE Industrial program Manager Ted Jones. “We look forward to working with ENERGY STAR to review the methodology.”

Katy Hatcher of EPA indicated that this topic will likely be on the agenda at the ENERGY STAR Water and Wastewater Focus meeting scheduled for the spring of 2007.

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