The Water-Energy Connection in California

Lorraine White and Gary Klein, California Energy Commission

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Abstract

As documented in the California Energy Commission’s 2005 Integrated Energy Policy Report, California has begun to take a serious look at the water-energy relationship in the state. A Water-Energy Working Group composed of key stakeholders was convened to inform the policy discussion.

In short: roughly 20 percent of the state’s electricity, 30 percent of the natural gas and 88 million gallons of diesel go to water in some form. Saving water saves energy. Saving energy saves water. You save more energy in Southern California than in Northern California because of the distance and elevation. Saving water used outdoors is good (pumping, treatment and delivery), saving water used indoors is better (no pressurization or waste removal, treatment and discharge) and saving hot water is still better (no energy to heat the water too). Beyond end-user water and energy efficiency, water and wastewater agencies can improve the efficiency of their operations; water storage can be better used to shift pumping and processing requirements off the energy system peak; and significant renewable generation (in-conduit hydropower, biogas generation, solar and wind) opportunities exist.

This paper will discuss the magnitude of the water-energy connection in California, describe the variability of this relationship in different regions in the state and share what is being done in California to promulgate policies and to develop and implement programs that simultaneously improve the efficiency of the water-energy connection.