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Whilst the statement “saving water saves energy” can be easily understood, the true cost of the water resource cannot be easily calculated.

Project Insights

  • €191,333

    Total Project Costs
  • 2 yr

    Project Duration
  • 2018

    Year Funded

Project Description

The natural environment and the manufacturing function are inextricably linked. Profitability, productivity and environmental consciousness are increasingly viewed as integral goals of manufacturing organizations, in general, and the manufacturing function in particular. IMR have previously identified the following problem areas for the energy-water nexus in manufacturing; reverse osmosis, rainwater harvesting, waste water discharge compliance, process metrics, quality profiling, clean in place, energy intensity costs, metering & monitoring. data management and project funding The True Cost of the Energy – Water Nexus in Manufacturing project is aimed at providing a solution to tackle a number of these problem areas. By increasing the knowledge and awareness of water consumption on site, it will provide the capability to identify reuse/recycle projects thus saving water, energy and reducing treatment costs. Any potential water saving on a Large manufacturing site will of course be felt in wider societal terms by increasing the capacity of the local supply, reducing the pumping costs and reducing the waste treatment costs. A significant challenge faced by companies and energy managers is the securing of funding for water efficiency projects. This is because the payback, when dealing with a unit of water cannot be calculated. Hydrologic data network design is complex where issues concerning the number of gauges required, time frequencies to be selected, and benefits/costs of monitoring remain unresolved. These issues are intensified when water quality is included, as measurement is more error-prone, costly and time consuming.

Project Details

Total Project Cost: €191,333

Funding Agency: SEAI

Year Funded: 2018

Lead Organisation: Irish Manufacturing Research

Collaborators: Wyeth Askeaton

David McCormack

Lead Researcher