Resource Data Analysis

Exploring Effective Strategies for Energy and Water Conservation Through Insights and Practical Solutions.

In today's world, wasteful energy practices cause big issues that impact the environment, the economy, and overall quality of life. Excessive energy consumption contributes to higher greenhouse gas emissions, worsening climate change and leading to more frequent and severe weather events. These practices deplete natural resources faster than they can be replenished, which causes long-term damage to ecosystems and biodiversity. Economically, the inefficiency of energy use translates into increased costs for households and businesses, driving up utility bills and creating a financial burden that can halt economic growth and personal well-being. Inefficient energy use usually results in a greater dependence on non-renewable energy sources, which can lead to fluctuating energy prices and even more pollution. Beyond just these issues, wasteful energy practices can also have social repercussions. Communities with higher energy consumption often experience greater disparities in energy access, leading to inequitable living conditions. Furthermore, the environmental degradation caused by such practices disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, who are less equipped to adapt to or recover from the adverse effects of climate change. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach that includes individual, local, regional, and global efforts to promote more sustainable energy and water use.

Home Audit Data

Starting on June 10th, I tracked my energy and water usage for two weeks. This was done through monitoring how frequently I used appliances throughout the day.

This bar chart represents data showing how many hours a day I utilized a certain appliance. Like most American households, the appliances I used the most were my refrigerator and lights. An important thing to note is that due to this experiment taking place at peak summer, my fan was being used a lot more than it normally would be. During fall and spring, you can expect less use of cooling/heating and during winter, you can expect greater use of heating.

This bar chart represents how many times a day I did certain activities. It helps to get an idea of the activities I do the most, and how I can possibly limit them. Despite this, this graph does not depict the which the activities that utilize the most amount of water.

This pie chart is a better visual representation that reflects which activities used the most water throughout the 2 week experiment. As we can see, showering and washing the dishes by hand used the most water. Another important thing to note is that the data recorded mostly represents the usage of water for one person. If we accounted for the entirety of my household, we could likely expect things such as showering and toilet flushing, which are "individual" activities, to account for a greater percentage of the chart.

This pie chart, like the one above, represents which appliances used the most energy throughout the 2 weeks in the form of a pie chart. Refrigeration takes up the most amount of energy, by far. Similarly to the chart for water, however, the amount of electricity used mostly represents only myself. "Shared" appliances like refrigeration and cooking represents usage of my family, whereas "individual" appliances like charging only shows my own usage.

Saving Energy and Water

Here are some ways you can save energy to lower your energy bill:

1) Switch to LED light bulbs

2) Unplug electronics when not in use

3) Use natural light when available

4) Adjust thermostat settings to be higher/lower

5) Seal windows/cracks in order to minimize temperature leaks that strain heating/cooling systems

Here are some methods you can implement to save water:

1) Fix leaks in faucets, toilets, and pipes

2) Use low-flow fixtures in sinks, showerheads, and toilets

3) Use a drip system when water plants

4) Use mulch to retain soil moisture, reduce evaporation, and suppress weeds

5) Run full loads of laundry

Case Study: San Jose, California

San Jose, CA

History

San José is the third largest city within California and the tenth largest city in the United States. Established on November 29, 1777, San Jose was the first of the California cities to be formally founded. San José was founded as El Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe to act as a farming village to supply the Spanish in San Francisco and Monterey. The production of products like fruits and grapes, which grew in the fertile valley, that the city prospered on. San Jose was the first capital of California after its statehood in 1850, though the capital was later shifted to Sacramento. At the end of the nineteenth and the beginning of the twentieth century San Jose changed, with introduction of the railroad and industrialization. The boom started after the Second World War and in developed San Jose into a technological city also known as the ‘Capital of Silicon Valley’, major companies like IBM, Cisco, and Adobe are found or have had major offices in San Jose city.

Energy Consumption

Due to rising urbanization and technological developments, San Jose has become one of the leading users of energy. Energy consumption in the city is driven by several key areas of usage such as residential, commercial, and industrial.

San Jose households have diverse needs , with electricity being the primary source. The city’s energy consumption pattern demonstrates a higher demand for cooling and heating due to seasonal temperature variations.

Problem with High Energy Consumption

The high energy consumption poses several problems, including an increased amount of greenhouse gas emissions and greater pressure on local energy infrastructure. Residential areas, in particular, contribute significantly to peak energy loads, which often leads to higher energy costs and strain on the grid.

Solutions

To overcome these issues, San Jose can promote the usage of efficient appliances and construction materials to reduce the total energy requirement, encourage the use of renewable energy sources to mitigate dependence on non-renewable sources and integrate smart grid systems to control the distribution and usage of energy.

The table outlines energy savings goals and projections for different program types for California. Sources:  California Public Utilities Commission  

Water Consumption

San Jose is located in a semi-arid region which brings challenges related to water usage. The city’s water consumption is driven by residential, industrial, and recreational needs. San Jose residents use water for various purposes, including gardening and hygiene, which significantly impacts overall water consumption.

San Jose faces many challenges due to high water consumption, which depletes local water resources and increases costs for water treatment and distribution. These issues are worsened by the city's extensive lawns and gardens. To address these challenges, San Jose can take several measures such as: promoting xeriscaping and other water-efficient landscaping practices in residential and commercial areas to reduce water use, implementing water recycling programs for non-potable uses like irrigation, and launching public awareness campaigns to educate residents about the importance of water conservation and ways to reduce their water footprint.

Case Study: Powerville Unified High School District

In a case study analysis, I analyzed Powerville Unified High School District in order to understand its resource consumption and identify potential areas for improvement. Powerville Unified High School District is comprised of six schools and it's energy data includes three different sectors: District Buildings, Outdoor Lighting, and Pumping. This analysis will only study the districts energy data.

These energy consumption data bar charts for Powerville Unified High School District shows patterns in its electricity and gas usage over the past year. Electricity consumption peaks in July at 12,078.2 kWh, with high usage in April, May, and August, which suggests increased air conditioning use during summer months. The lowest electricity consumption is in January at 9,662.6 kWh. Gas consumption is also highest in August at 819.75 therms and lowest in January at 665.7 therms, which reflects the year-round demand likely for heating and cooking. The small amount of fluctuation between months show how energy usage is consistent with factors such as weather playing some role in increasing/decreasing consumption.

Although not wildly significant, the amount of days of the month that are billed do play a small role in the total energy usage of each month. February, for example, should be expected to have lower bills due to the fact that it has the least amount of days.

MMBTU's or Metric Million British Thermal Units are another way to represent data when it comes to gas bills. It's used for larger scale application.

The billing data for Powerville Unified High School District shows that electricity and gas costs change every month. The highest electricity bill is $2,730.71 in July, and the lowest is $2,199.99 in April. Gas bills are more consistent, with the highest being $300.70 in July and the lowest $259.76 in January. The electricity bills are far higher, peaking at $2,730.71 in July, compared to the highest gas bill of $300.70 in the same month. Even at its lowest, the electricity bill in April is $2,199.99, much higher than the highest gas bill. This shows the higher cost of electricity consumption due to seasonal usage patterns, especially for air conditioning. Gas costs remain lower and more stable throughout the year, showing consistent heating and cooking demands.

The energy bill for Powerville Unified High School District shows that most of the money goes to paying for electricity. In July, the bill reaches $3,031, mainly because of high electricity usage. Gas costs are much lower all year round. The percentage of energy costs compared to total expenses hits 9.3% in July when electricity usage is at its peak, and drops to 7.6% in January and October. This means that while both gas and electricity add to the energy costs, electricity has a bigger impact on the district's budget.

Case Study: Powerville High School

Similarly to my analysis of Powerville Unified High School District, I did a case study analysis on the energy spending of Powerville High School. This analysis focused on the same sectors of use as my previous analysis of Powerville Unified High School District, which are District Buildings, Outdoor Lighting, and Pumping. However, unlike the district analysis, this study only pertains to the energy usage of one school.

Energy data from Powerville High School shows that the district's buildings are by far the largest energy consumers, with large variations throughout the year. July stands out as the least efficient month, with electricity consumption at 2,220 kWh and gas consumption at 55 therms. Conversely, January appears to be the most efficient month, with electricity consumption (1,776 kWh) and gas consumption (50 kWh) equivalent to 7.7% of the total energy percentage. There are a multiple measures can be implemented to improve the energy efficiency of Powerville High School. Upgrading to HVAC systems and improving room insulation can reduce the need for heating and cooling. Additionally, Installing programmable thermostats allows for better temperature control and reduces unnecessary energy consumption. Switching to energy-efficient lighting and regular maintenance of heating systems can further reduce electricity and gas consumption. Integrating energy sources can help offset electricity bills and promote sustainability. These strategies can help manage energy consumption more effectively, resulting in lower costs and increased efficiency throughout the year.

Sustainability Career: Environmental Scientist

Dr. Peter Gleick

One interesting career I found in the water sector is the job of Environmental Scientist. One environmental scientist is Dr. Peter Gleick at the Pacific Institute.

Dr. Gleick's work at the Pacific Institute involves looking into critical water issues using research, policy advocacy, and practical solutions. He spoke out about focusing on water resource management and the impacts of climate change on water systems. An aspect of his work that I found particularly interesting was his advocacy for the human right to water. He wants to make sure that everyone has equitable access to clean water and sanitation.

He holds a Ph.D. in Energy and Resources and he has an extensive history in environmental science. He's talked about how important analytical skills are in his role, along with a strong foundation in research and policy development. Communication is also extremely important if you want to make change, as he frequently engages with the media, policymakers, and the public to raise awareness and promote innovative water solutions.

Dr. Gleick also mentioned his writing and publication efforts. He's written several influential books and articles, which includes his book, "Bottled and Sold: The Story Behind Our Obsession with Bottled Water," where dives into the not only environmental, but also social impacts of bottled water.

Learning more about Dr. Gleick has made me realize that this career could be a good fit for those who are interested in learning and making change. It takes the analytical, STEM side of sustainability and combines it with the contributive, change-making careers of activists. With this job, you can have a greater impact on people's lives.

Internship Reflection

TEC internship reflection

The table outlines energy savings goals and projections for different program types for California. Sources:  California Public Utilities Commission  

Dr. Peter Gleick