물문제의 해결에 전념하는 기업 자일럼(Xylem)의 새로운 연구에 따르면 폐수 관리 기술의 도입을 통해 에너지 효율성은 증가시키고 배출량은 반으로 삭감시키며, 배출 저감의 95%가 부정적이거나 중립적인 비용으로 달성될 수 있다는 결론을 얻었다.

 

이번 연구는 ‘Powering the Wastewater Renaissance’의 일환으로 페수 관리 업계의 에너지 효율성의 분석을 제공하고, 폐수관리 산업 및 평가에서  세계적으로 입증된 물산업 기술이 검증된 기술로 유해한 온실가스의 배출을 감소시킬 수 있다는 것이다.

 

 

 

According to a new study released by Xylem Inc. -- a company dedicated to solving challenging water issues -- increasing energy efficiency through the adoption of readily available wastewater management technologies can slash related emissions by nearly half. The analysis further concludes that 95 percent of the electricity-related emissions abatement can be achieved at negative or neutral cost.

 

The study, "Powering the Wastewater Renaissance," provides an analysis of energy efficiency in the wastewater management industry and assesses how the global water sector can reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions with proven technologies. The report, which studied the wastewater sector in the U.S., Europe and China, assessed 18 distinct abatement opportunities -- from pumps used to transport the water, to the blowers used to aerate it, to the various filtration systems used to treat it.

 

"Infrastructure investments today can have positive environmental and economic consequences for decades," said Patrick Decker, Xylem President and CEO. "Importantly, the pragmatic solutions identified in this report pay for themselves and, in many cases, unlock new capital that can be invested in additional infrastructure improvements. As we address the effects of a growing global population and its accompanying strain on natural resources, the public and private sectors must come together to identify and implement new ways to realize the full potential of a low-carbon economy."

 

The greatest investment return and emissions abatement opportunities were found in China, where 100 percent of the emissions abatement opportunities analyzed could be realized at zero or negative cost. In this region, where the government is actively investing in water infrastructure, more than $25 billion in net savings can be generated with the adoption of high-efficiency wastewater technologies. With the addition of the United States and Europe, the savings top $40 billion.

 

The report notes two levers that would accelerate adoption of highly efficient wastewater technologies. First, new financing models that incentivize investments in low-carbon technologies would assist with the initial higher capital costs that often come with these advanced technologies. Second, increasing the energy-efficiency standards of wastewater equipment would ensure broader adoption.

 

The report concludes, "Now is the time for the industry and all stakeholders in the climate change agenda to work together to overcome these barriers to adopting high-efficiency wastewater treatment technologies, which will result in greater productivity of wastewater operations, and a meaningful step forward in tackling climate change."

 

Additional information and a link to Xylem's Powering the Wastewater Renaissance report can be found here. The "Powering the Wastewater Renaissance" infographic can be found here. This report was initiated as part of Xylem's commitment to advancing sustainable solutions in the water sector.

 

[출처 = Water World / 2015년 10월 20일]