Sustainable Energy Management Systems for Wastewater Treatment Facilities

In the State of Rhode Island wastewater is collected and treated by 19 individual Wastewater Treatment Facilities (WWTFs) capable of receiving and treating up to 200 million gallons per day (MGD) of municipal wastewater. Based on standardized energy consumption data and assumed peak energy efficiency performance, these facilities can consume more than 78,000 MWH of electricity annually at a cost of more than $9 million. Recognizing the environmental and economic benefits of improving WWTF energy management practices the Narragansett Bay Commission, the State of Island's largest multi-community WWTF municipality, developed and launched a Sustainable Energy Management Program to help improve the energy use performance of these RI WWTFs. As a result of these efforts an estimated 4,470 MWh/year of potential energy savings have been identified and two renewable energy projects with the potential of creating more than 11,000 MWh/year of clean renewable energy are being implemented. Project efforts have been partially funded through grants from the EPA and the U.S. ARRA Program, and funds obtained through National Grid's Energy Efficiency Incentives Programs.