EMA, Inc.

EMA is pleased to announce the availability of the final report for AwwaRF Project No. 3066 - Water Consumption Forecasting to Improve Energy Efficiency of Pumping Operations. This report summarizes the research completed with nine participating utilities to identify, test, and evaluate methods and tools available to make short-term water consumption forecasts as required for optimizing pump schedules and energy use and support the implementation of an Energy and Water Quality Management System (EWQMS).

The focus of this project was on Short-term Consumption Forecasting (STCF) as it relates to energy, water quality, and water supply management in an operations environment (e.g., an EWQMS). The cost savings and effectiveness of optimization programs are dependent on and proportional to the accuracy of the forecast. Over or under estimating consumption will result in running plants or pumps during periods of high energy and water supply costs. Assumptions made for water quality management may be invalidated if there are significant errors in the forecast.

The final report for this research, co-funded by the California Energy Commission, defines the average accuracy of the prototype models and compares the accuracy of operating forecasting systems to prototypes. The report describes STCF performance criteria, benchmarks, and selection criteria. The report also provides a chapter that reflects on the electric utility experience and value of forecasting accuracy.