ACWA Energy Expert Addresses California Energy Commission Workshop; Speaks of Relationship Between Water and Energy.SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Speaking today at a California Energy Commission The California Energy Commission is California’s primary energy policy and planning agency. Created in 1974 and headquartered in Sacramento, the Commission has responsibility for activities that include forecasting future energy needs, promoting energy efficiency through workshop, Dr. Lon House, energy consultant for the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA ACWA Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America ACWA Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives ACWA Administrative Careers With America ACWA Assembled Chemical Weapons Assessment ACWA American Civil War Association ACWA American Clean Water Association ), informed attendees that water agencies are in a unique position to curtail energy usage when necessary to help the state during times of increased demand. "Dr. House is drawing attention to some of the ways in which water agencies can help the state avoid blackouts or even grid failure during an energy crisis," said ACWA Executive Director Steve Hall. "In desperate times, the water community has a real opportunity to rise to the occasion to further serve not only their customers, but all Californians." House's comments came at a workshop designed to examine the relationship between water and energy. At present, water agencies already curtail about 400 megawatts (MW) of on-demand power. As a result of activities associated with treating, pumping and moving water, water agencies are the single largest electricity users in California, with a 3,200 MW maximum demand. House drew attention to other means of potential energy savings, power production, and reallocation of resources The provision of logistic resources by the military forces of one nation from those deemed "made available" under the terms incorporated in appropriate NATO documents, to the military forces of another nation or nations as directed by the appropriate military authority. by water agencies, including: --Additional curtailment using existing resources, increased water storage, and time-of-use rates; --Increased energy production using available standby generators A standby generator is a back-up electrical system that operates automatically. Within seconds of a utility outage an automatic transfer switch senses the power loss, commands the generator to start and then transfers the electrical load to the generator. ; small hydroelectric systems; biogas bi·o·gas n. A mixture of methane and carbon dioxide produced by bacterial degradation of organic matter and used as a fuel. biogas Noun gaseous fuel produced by the fermentation of organic waste ; natural gas engines; and solar power. In the coming years, water agencies will require additional power to continue to the meet the needs of the state's growing population, to use technologies such as desalination desalination or desalting Removal of dissolved salts from seawater and from the salty waters of inland seas, highly mineralized groundwaters, and municipal wastewaters. and to meet requirements and other regulations. With these and other proposed means of conservation and production of energy, House believes that the water community will be capable of meeting that need and further assisting the state during high-demand periods. He noted, however, that these options also would require more consistent state policies and regulatory requirements along with financial incentives. ACWA is a statewide association composed of 440 members that are responsible for about 90% of the water delivered in California. To view the presentation, please visit http://www.acwa.com/issues/ACWA%20W-E W-E Writer-Editor %20June%2021%20comments.pdf. |
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