C A L I F O R N I A E N E R G Y C O M M I S S I O N

Research and Development Helps CA Prepare for a Future of Drought

Laurie ten Hope

Deputy Director

Energy Research and Development Division

IEPR Workshop : Drought Response

August 28, 2015

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Overview

• Energy Commission Research and Development Programs

– Completed and active water/energy research– Forward looking water/energy research

Innovation Helps California Prepare for Drought

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Water/Energy Nexus R&D

• Initiated in 1997, PIER funded energy-related RD&D activities included development and demonstration of water/energy technologies, strategies and tools

• Current water and energy research projects are funded by the Electric Program Investment Charge

• Hot water saving projects are funded with the natural gas research funds

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Promising R&D Projects with Energy and Water Savings

Porifera, Inc.: Forward Osmosis for water recycling or juice concentration.

Tersus Laundry System: Uses CO2 for washing clean room garments and other textiles.

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Promising R&D Projects with Energy and Water Savings

PowWow: Agriculture Irrigation Optimization - Use of smart meter data to inform growers of water/energy use anomalies.

Commercial Food Service: Advanced Wok results in more heat transfer and eliminates water used for cooling the surface.

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Promising R&D Projects with Dry Cooling

• A modern 500 MW combined cycle power plant with wet cooling towers may use 3 million or more gallons of water a day.

• Dry cooling can eliminate this power plant water use, but reduces power plant efficiency.

• Research is improving air-cooled steam condenser performance during the hottest hours of the day when demand for electricity is at its greatest.

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Future Water and Energy Research Areas

Research Initiatives for the EPIC 2nd Investment Plan*• Water/Wastewater

Strategies for Industrial, Agriculture and Water

• Water and energy efficiency in buildings

• Environmental and Renewable Energy

7* Electric Program Investment Charge: 2015-17 Triennial Investment Plan

http://www.energy.ca.gov/contracts/epic.html

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Water/Wastewater Strategies for the Industrial, Agriculture and Water Sectors

Purpose:

Develop, validate and document energy savings and technical proof of concept to make these technologies eligible to participate in future demonstration or deployment programs.

Potential Research:• Develop and test advanced technologies, such as membrane filtration

technologies, that result in process improvements.• Develop and test cost-effective ways to reduce energy use associated with

water recycling, reuse and desalination, while increasing water production and overcoming technical and regulatory barriers.

• As water treatment and conveyance uses nearly 20% of California’s electricity supply, develop and test strategies/technologies to increase efficiencies in moving water to and from water treatment facilities, including leak detection and repair.

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Technology Solutions to Reduce Water in California Buildings

Purpose:

Develop techniques, technologies and methods to promote water and energy efficiency buildings with a goal of 30% reduction of urban water use.

Potential Research Areas:• Increase end-use water efficiency of fixtures, appliances and systems,

including advanced and cost effective methods for leak detection and repair.

• Integration of sensors, controllers, smart water/electric meters and other advanced technologies to reduce water and energy use.

• Test strategies and technologies for gray water reuse to overcome technical, economic and regulatory barriers.

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Environmental Energy/Water Research

Potential Research:• Develop information and tools to

facilitate probabilistic hydrologic forecasting for hydropower generators.

• Develop tools, technologies and information to improve the assessment of degraded water sources for use in cooling towers.

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Goal:

Develop Water Management tools, technologies and information that will improve water management in electricity generation.

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More Information

• Second Triennial Investment Plan (EPIC):http://www.energy.ca.gov/2014publications/CEC-500-2014-038/CEC-500-2014-038-CMF.pdf

• More info on EPIC:http://www.energy.ca.gov/research/epic/

• EPIC Opportunitieshttp://www.energy.ca.gov/contracts/epic.html

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