How smart metering can help saving water and meet the targets of the European Energy Efficiency Directive (EED)
During the "Tausendwasser" fair in Berlin on March 15th-16th, 2023, Ulrich Eff, Head of Alliances and Associations at Diehl Metering, participated in a plenary discussion with VDDW*, DVGW**, BDEW***, and AGME**** on the digitalization of the water supply infrastructure, under the theme "Saving water is saving energy".
Did you know that producing one cubic meter of drinking water requires approximately 1.2 kWh of energy? The production of clean water involves energy-intensive processes that impact our carbon footprint and the sustainability of our water resources. But we can leverage technology to manage our water consumption more efficiently.
The European Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) aims to reduce energy consumption in Europe, conserve finite resources, and protect the environment. To achieve these goals, Member States must implement energy efficiency targets for energy use and supply. In Germany, the Building Energy Act, revised Heating Cost Regulation, and District Heating or Cooling Consumption Recording and Billing Ordinance implement the EED requirements.
But what do these energy efficiency targets have to do with water meters? Simply put, water use is connected to energy consumption. To promote resource conservation, the EED encourages the use of digital metering systems that record consumption data accurately and provide users with regular billing or consumption information.
By using digital metering systems, we can reduce our water and energy consumption, detect unnecessary water losses, and save our natural water resources. Digitization of water metering is a vital step towards the sustainable use of our precious water resources. By increasing awareness of consumption patterns, we can all contribute to conserving water and reducing our environmental impact.
*VDDW: Verband der deutschen Wasser- und Wärmezählerindustrie e.V (Association of the German Water and Heat Meter Industry e.V.)
**DVGW: Deutscher Verein des Gas- und Wasserfaches e.V. (German Technical and Scientific Association for Gas and Water e.V.)
***BDEW: Bundesverband der Energie- und Wasserwirtschaft (German Association of Energy and Water Industries)
****AGME: Arbeitsgemeinschaft Mess- und Eichwesen (Working Group for Metrology and Verification)