CITY OF THOUSAND OAKS USES INNOVATIVE POWER PURCHASE AGREEMENTS FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY AT ITS HILL CANYON WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT

The City of Thousand Oaks', (City) California, Hill Canyon Wastewater Treatment Plant (HCTP) is a 14 million gallon/day capacity advanced tertiary facility. Following a three phased ten-year upgrade and expansion of HCTP concluding in 2005, the City found itself facing rising electrical costs. After completing numerous energy saving projects and adopting best energy management practices, HCTP and Public Works staff turned their attention to onsite renewable power generation. Both solar and cogeneration opportunities were identified and acted upon. Neither cost the City a cent in capital costs because of innovative power purchase agreements where both systems were owned and operated by private parties. Initially, the City saved 30,000 in energy costs the first year and is anticipating savings of 100,000 the second year. This model of generating onsite renewable energy without capital outlay has been widely copied by other water and wastewater agencies throughout California and could easily be adapted elsewhere.