An Approach for Water and Energy Savings in Public Buildings: A Case Study of Brazilian Rail Company

Mariko Almeida Carneiro, Diogo Da Fonseca-Soares (), Lucian Hendyo Max Pereira and Angel Firmín Ramos-Ridao
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Mariko Almeida Carneiro: Brazilian Company of Urban Trains, Square Napoleao Laureano, 01, Varadouro, Joao Pessoa 58010-150, Brazil
Diogo Da Fonseca-Soares: Brazilian Company of Urban Trains, Square Napoleao Laureano, 01, Varadouro, Joao Pessoa 58010-150, Brazil
Lucian Hendyo Max Pereira: Brazilian Company of Urban Trains, Square Napoleao Laureano, 01, Varadouro, Joao Pessoa 58010-150, Brazil
Angel Firmín Ramos-Ridao: Civil Engineering Department, University of Granada, Campus de Fuentenueva, s/n. E.T.S Ingenieros de Caminos, Canales y Puertos, 18071 Granada, Spain

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 23, 1-13

Abstract: Water scarcity is a current problem in many parts of the planet and there is a worldwide concern about water availability to meet future water demand. In countries like Brazil, where most of the electricity is produced by hydroelectric power plants, water scarcity directly impacts energy production. The water–energy nexus is directly related and impacted by CO 2 emissions and its climate consequences, which calls to a broader approach: energy–carbon–water nexus. In this context, the Sustainable Water and Energy Consumption (SWEC) Program was developed to mitigate water and energy supply problems in a railway company in Brazil. The actions took place in four main areas: (a) users conscientization, (b) consumption diagnosis, (c) indicators for evaluating water and energy consumption, and (d) evaluation of implementing alternative cleaner water and energy sources. The per capita consumption of water and energy were reduced by 10% and 19%, respectively. Permanent results were achieved by the SWEC Program, such as the acquisition of two photovoltaic systems with a total capacity of 96.5 kWp. The investment made provided an average monthly reduction in energy consumption of 56% in 2022. This work contributed to the UN Agenda 2030 and the findings may help companies and industries, and other institutions, such as universities and schools, to improve their water and electricity consumption.

Keywords: energy conservation; sustainable water consumption; photovoltaic system; railway system; greenhouse gas emissions; footprint carbon (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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