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Optimizing rainwater harvesting systems as an innovative approach to saving energy in hilly communities

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  • Chiu, Yie-Ru
  • Liaw, Chao-Hsien
  • Chen, Liang-Ching

Abstract

Rapid urbanization is increasing the amount of hilly communities around many large cities; therefore, saving water pumping energy deserves significant priority. This work proposes optimized rooftop rainwater harvesting systems (RRWHSs) and provides an energy-saving approach for hilly communities. The most cost-effective rainwater tank volumes for different dwelling types are calculated using marginal analysis. The case study at Hua-Chan Community in northern Taiwan indicates that the optimum rainwater tank volumes range from 5m3 to 10m3 according to the type of dwelling. The results also reveal that rainwater harvesting becomes economically feasible when both energy and water savings are addressed together. Furthermore, the cost of unit energy saving from RRWHSs is lower than that from solar PV systems. Hence, RRWHSs provide not only water savings, but also as an alternative renewable energy-saving approach to address the water–energy dilemma caused by the ever-growing hilly communities.

Suggested Citation

  • Chiu, Yie-Ru & Liaw, Chao-Hsien & Chen, Liang-Ching, 2009. "Optimizing rainwater harvesting systems as an innovative approach to saving energy in hilly communities," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(3), pages 492-498.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:34:y:2009:i:3:p:492-498
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2008.06.016
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. P. Londra & A. Theocharis & E. Baltas & V. Tsihrintzis, 2015. "Optimal Sizing of Rainwater Harvesting Tanks for Domestic Use in Greece," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 29(12), pages 4357-4377, September.
    2. P. Singh & B. Yaduvanshi & Swati Patel & Saswati Ray, 2013. "SCS-CN Based Quantification of Potential of Rooftop Catchments and Computation of ASRC for Rainwater Harvesting," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 27(7), pages 2001-2012, May.
    3. Wanjiru, Evan M. & Xia, Xiaohua, 2015. "Energy-water optimization model incorporating rooftop water harvesting for lawn irrigation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 521-531.
    4. Vieira, Abel S. & Beal, Cara D. & Ghisi, Enedir & Stewart, Rodney A., 2014. "Energy intensity of rainwater harvesting systems: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 225-242.
    5. Proença, Lúcio Costa & Ghisi, Enedir & Tavares, Davi da Fonseca & Coelho, Gabriel Marcon, 2011. "Potential for electricity savings by reducing potable water consumption in a city scale," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 55(11), pages 960-965.
    6. Bey, M. & Hamidat, A. & Benyoucef, B. & Nacer, T., 2016. "Viability study of the use of grid connected photovoltaic system in agriculture: Case of Algerian dairy farms," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 333-345.
    7. Ajaz Ahmed & Usman Mustafa & Ghulam Samad, 2012. "Economic Appraisal of Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting Technology in Bagh and Battagram Districts Pakistan," CEECC Working Paper 2012:02, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics.
    8. Ahmad, Shakeel & Jia, Haifeng & Chen, Zhengxia & Li, Qian & Xu, Changqing, 2020. "Water-energy nexus and energy efficiency: A systematic analysis of urban water systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    9. Chidozie Charles Nnaji & PraiseGod Chidozie Emenike & Imokhai Theophilus Tenebe, 2017. "An Optimization Approach for Assessing the Reliability of Rainwater Harvesting," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 31(6), pages 2011-2024, April.
    10. Boroomandnia, Arezoo & Rismanchi, Behzad & Wu, Wenyan, 2022. "A review of micro hydro systems in urban areas: Opportunities and challenges," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    11. Campana, Pietro Elia & Quan, Steven Jige & Robbio, Federico Ignacio & Lundblad, Anders & Zhang, Yang & Ma, Tao & Karlsson, Björn & Yan, Jinyue, 2017. "Optimization of a residential district with special consideration on energy and water reliability," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 194(C), pages 751-764.
    12. Smith, Kate & Liu, Shuming & Liu, Ying & Guo, Shengjie, 2018. "Can China reduce energy for water? A review of energy for urban water supply and wastewater treatment and suggestions for change," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 41-58.

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