Energy nexus of household water use in Melbourne : characterization, quantification and options for improvements | |
| Author | Manandhar, Ineej |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.ET-15-11 |
| Subject(s) | Energy consumption--Environmental aspects--Australia--Melbourne Water consumption--Australia--Melbourne |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Energy |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Households are key drivers of energy use and related GHG emissions. Water consumption in household is a major factor for energy consumption in cities. In order to understand seasonal water use, related energy, CO2 emissions and costs for household, Mathematical Flow Analysis was used in study for Melbourne households. The research demonstrated that water use accounts for 59% (4.12 kWh/Household daily) of total energy consumption in summer in the Melbourne household and 12% (10.23 kWh/Household daily) in winter, 32% (1.02 $/ Household Daily) of total energy related costs in summer and 16% (2.29$/ Household Daily) in winter. In summer 25% (1.71 CO2/Household daily) CO2 emissions is water related and 17% (3.71 CO2/Household daily) in winter. Irrigation (55% of total water volume) has the largest end in summer and shower (72%) in winter. The values in winter is higher than summer due to a person being absent from house for 5 days out of 14 in summer. Sensitivity analysis was done for all the parameters in the model which shows that, Number of occupants, showers and shower flow rate are major drivers for the flow of water. Temperature of shower, temperature of cold water, house occupancy (8% contribution) is major drivers in water related energy. Temperature of shower (6%contribution), temperature of cold water (3% contribution) are major drivers for summer total water use but Energy used (8% contribution) and duration of space heating (8% contribution) are key drivers for total winter energy use. Natural Gas in shower water heating (9% contribution), temperature of shower (6% contribution) and cold water temperature (5% contribution) are major drivers in summer water related energy costs but Gas used in heating (25% contribution) is the major driver in winter. Gas shower water heating (17%) and Temperature of showers (6%) are key drivers for water related GHG emissions. “Iwashit” washing machine and Xeros bead washing machine are recommended due to potential of 33 to 68 % reduction in total water consumption in comparison to installed washing machine with Iwashit being 19% energy efficiency but Xeros Bead washing machine consuming 0% more energy. Manual human powered washing machines like Giradora and Laundry Pod can save 100% of energy with water savings up to 59%. Washup Washing Machine, Foot Powered Washing, Laundry Pod and Wonder Wash have considerable and biggest savings in monetary terms which is AU$(1565, 1823, 1702, 1818). These are all small human powered machines so these are significantly energy and water efficient. Iwashit" showering/washing and Xeros Bead Washing are the most practical technologies to be promoted in mass scale but have been able to match up to the monetary (water and energy) terms in households level because these are still focused on large customers like schools, collages, laundry companies, hospitals with gradual focus on individuals households. |
| Year | 2015 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Energy Technology (ET) |
| Chairperson(s) | Dhakal, Shobhakar |
| Examination Committee(s) | Shrestha, Sangam;Phdungsilp, Aumnad;Kenway, Steven; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Asian Institute of Technology Fellowship |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2015 |