Energy Conservation and Greenhouse Gas Reduction at the Owl's Head Water Pollution Control Plant Will Lead to Energy Independence

As part of a citywide effort to reduce Green House Gas (GHG) emissions from cityowned facilities, a feasibility study for the complete utilization of digester gas produced on-site at the Owl's Head Wastewater Pollution Control Plant (WPCP) was conducted to provide an operational analysis of the energy potential for the plant and the emissions profile, pre and post implementation of this project. This feasibility study also provided the basis of design for the construction phase of the project. Construction is expected to be completed in 2010.The feasibility study found that, with 100% utilization of average annual digester gas production, approximately 57% of the plant's total power demand could be supplied by the digester gas. Supplemental fuel in form of natural gas and minimal diesel input will allow two of the three dual-fuel engine generators located on-site be operated continuously, providing 75% of the plants annual electrical energy demands and 100% of the facility and process heating demands. The proposed scheme will alleviate the facility from having to purchase energy from the local energy grid, resulting in an expected reduction in off-site energy consumption and reduction in plant's annual non-biogenic GHG emissions by 72% and total GHG emissions by 42%.