Electric Load Management in the Jordanian Water Sector

The production of renewable energy in Jordan has increased significantly in recent years. During the day, solar electricity already makes a significant contribution to the national electricity generation, while the peak times in the evening are almost completely covered by conventional plants powered by Natural Gas. However, the electricity sector currently lacks significant storage capacities. The increased penetration of RE led to instances where electricity production exceeds real-time electric demand resulting in voltage instability. Consequently, curtailment of variable energy resources has become necessary to address this challenge. Given the water sector's significance for the overall electricity consumption, water facilities are expected to provide great opportunities for grid balancing with electric load management (LM). Improving the operational flexibility of water facilities, mainly by adjusting electric consumption to align with the available electric supply, can pave the way for a more sustainable electrical system. This approach reduces reliance on polluting peaking power plants and facilitates the integration and the optimal utilization of renewable energy sources. Water facilities can participate in LM schemes by reducing or shifting their load from peak time to off-peak time or standard time. This proactive approach relieves electricity generation capacities, consequently reducing power generation costs. The adoption of Time-of-Use (ToU) tariffs, which involve varying electricity prices across different time slots, can create a win-win situation for the Jordanian energy and water sectors. Capturing LM opportunities not only contributes to financial gains for the water sector but also enhances overall operational efficiency of the electric system, contributing to a more cost-effective and efficient utilization of resources. Initiation of the discussion process on LM as well as analytic preparations and preliminary assessment have been already conducted in LM Phase 1, where a Contractor has worked on: - Generic assessment of water facilities regarding LM potential based on available data. - Analysing the potential applications of LM for 4 water systems - Providing a pre-feasibility study for 4 selected water systems The Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission (EMRC), with the support of the World Bank, has conducted a study on the Electricity Cost of Service and Tariffs review, where recommendations have been made to vary electricity prices at different times of the day for all sectors including the water sector. This resulted in a ToU structure that can be used by the water sector. The Water Authority of Jordan (WAJ) with the support of the KfW Development Bank has conducted the following study "Dair Alla-Zay Energy-Cost saving measures" as part of the project "Feasibility Study: Use of Renewable Energy in the Water Sector", The Feasibility Study is embedded in the third phase of the KfW financed program "Energy Efficiency in the Water Sector". The study explored the opportunities for energy cost savings measures on the Zay-Dabouq Water Transmission System (WTS) under Package 1, Track 1 of Stage 1 of the feasibility study addendum "Use of Renewable Energy in the Water Sector". The study comprises the analysis of energy cost savings through three phases, where in the second phase the potential for Load Shifting on Zay Pumping Stations PS1 to PS5 was analysed, and the needed infrastructure, related investment cost and financial benefits through the application of new tariff were defined. The current assignment shall use the previous results of studies i.e., LM Phase 1, World Bank Study, KfW Study as basis for the work. GIZ acknowledges the different dimensions of Jordan"s water sector challenges. Consequently, German development cooperation will continue to offer support through short and medium-term oriented activities as well as long-term oriented measures aiming at efficient management of water resources to secure the future water supply of the country. The contractor is responsible for providing the following services: - Carry out a screening of water facilities for LM potential and investigation of no-cost and low-cost application of LM. - Elaboration of six techno-economic feasibility studies for investment LM application in the water sector for selected systems. - Development of a Road map for prioritized LM projects. - Carry out a generic assessment of LM for the water sector after the realization of the National Conveyor project and other strategic bulk water supply projects.