Full Description

Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) is a hot topic these days in utility industry circles. The investor owned utilities have gotten serious about IRP during the past three to four years, even though the idea for IRP was conceived more than ten years ago. Integrated Resource Planning is a long range planning tool that considers not only supply side options, but also takes into account demand side considerations. The cost of construction and raw water has sky-rocketed over the past few years. So much so, that the water industry is looking to alternative methods to enhance long range planning strategies. Many water utilities have taken the first step with voluntary conservation programs. But conservation is only one small part of Integrated Resource Planning. The data requirements for a full blown IRP are phenomenal and many utilities are still unsure of what IRP is and what is necessary to develop one. In this paper, I will discuss what type of data could be required for development of an IRP. Some of the different data groups include distribution, supply, demand, demographic, and financial. I will also discuss how this data is used in different models and its significance for the development of the IRP. I think that you will be able to see that most, if not all, water utilities have a long way to go before they have the data and models necessary to develop a comprehensive IRP. Although it would be impossible to define exactly what the data requirements would be for a Water Utility IRP, since each Utility is unique in its own way, this paper will provide you with some preliminary information that will help you get a head start on your IRP process.

Product Details

Published: 01/01/1994 ISBN(s): 0898677343 Number of Pages: 7File Size: 1 file , 330 KB