Application of energy use indicators to evaluate energy dynamics in Canadian water distribution systems

Over the past 14 years, researchers have been developing energy indicators to better quantify where energy is being wasted in relation to the operation of a water distribution system. These energy indicators have helped municipalities identify ways to make their systems more energy efficient. This paper builds upon research completed by Cabrera et al. [4] where five (5) energy indicators were developed. The indicators strive to describe the efficiency of a distribution network by focusing on what is causing the energy consumption within a system (i.e. friction, leakage etc.). In this paper these indicators are applied to three (3) distribution networks. The energy use indicators are used to compare energy efficiency, energy lost to friction and leakage, and useful energy between each of the modelled distribution networks. This paper also discusses the key characteristics of the networks that account for the energy use patterns observed with the energy indicators. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.