RENEW AND REDUCE: ENERGY SOLUTIONS TO IMPROVE PLANT OPERATIONS

Federal regulations including the Energy Act of 2005 and Executive Order 13423 have recently been instituted and will require both a reduction in aggregate energy usage and an increase in renewable energy utilized by all federal buildings by the year 2015. While municipal water treatment plants are not currently covered by these regulations, it appears that change is on the horizon and similar regulations for municipalities may not be far away. In addition to the possibility of new legislation, rising conventional energy costs are taking a larger portion of the operating budget at water and wastewater facilities. This paper will present renewable energy initiatives that can be implemented at water/wastewater facilities. Additionally, several studies will be presented which highlight renewable energy assessments at various federal facilities across the country.