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Revealing the superpowers of smart meters for water-energy demand management and behaviour change
  • Cara Beal
Cara Beal
Griffith University, Qld Australia

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Abstract

Increasing awareness of the links between water-energy consumption has seen a strong focus on examining and identifying areas where reductions in greenhouse gas emissions can be achieved. We are becoming increasingly aware that a truly sustainable water and energy supply in any community must incorporate a systemic approach where community, governance, culture, economics and local environmental context are considered along with improved technological outcomes. This presentation is focussed on giving a snapshot of research projects that have been undertaken in Australia to understand the water-energy nexus through the use of digital technologies such as smart water and energy meters and big data analytics. Topics that will be highlighted will include: • the application of smart metering technology to improve our understanding of peak demand patterns and subsequent network optimization, (e.g. reduce energy demand for pumping), • assessing energy consumption of water heating systems with empirical information (e.g. measured water consumption patterns) • residential rain tank pump performance at an end use level • using smart meter enabled, water end-use data to identify the key indoor and outdoor end-uses that contribute to water-related energy demand; and • the water-energy nexus in remote and Indigenous communities – using water demand management to reduce high energy off-grid water supply costs Projects will cover urban, regional and remote communities and will. The presentation will conclude some provide insights on how using a combination of socio-technical approaches can reveal both barriers and opportunities to reducing water and water-related energy demand.