Stakeholder-driven development of a decision support framework targeting sustainable water supply systems

Journal article, 2024

The energy and water demand are expected to increase as a consequence of industrial development. The water streams in a typical building could however be used in a more energy and water efficient way to mitigate these challenges. Unfortunately, there are limited ways to evaluate and compare these system solutions. Thus, this study aims to identify the potential of different water streams within a typical building, their energy and volumetric potential and the areas of interest that can serve as a basis for a framework used for the evaluation of a system solution. A literature study will be performed to identify possible aspects of interest and to identify prevailing water stream within a building. Semi-structured interviews will also be conducted with stakeholders operating within the field which will work as a basis to develop the framework of areas and parameters of interest. Eight water streams were identified within a building where the stream with the largest volume was cold water, greywater and blackwater and the streams containing the largest energy content where cold water, rainwater and condensate. The interview produced several issues where, after processing, three different general aspects and 10 areas of interest were identified. Rainwater has shown to have the potential to work as an energy source for evaporative cooling due to the volume and high quality. By separating the sensible energy from the grey water and utilizing both, both resources enable proper use for higher acceptance amongst tenants.