Millions of Reason to ‘Go Green’: A North Carolina Utility Finds a New Revenue Stream in Waste Heat Recovery and Power Generation

The Water & Sewer Authority of Cabarrus County (WSACC) teamed with CH2M HILL to explore beneficial use of waste heat produced by their biosolids incinerator in the face of rising energy costs and an increased emphasis on sustainability. Studies showed the resulting heat at full utilization could generate up to 2MW - equivalent to powering 1400 homes.The project team worked with specialty legal counsel to obtain a first-of-its-kind ruling that classified WSACC biosolids as a ‘renewable fuel’, with the intent of selling the electricity rather than using it at their plant. The ruling allowed this energy to be sold at a premium…nearly double their retail rate. This revenue stream could produce 1M-1.3M annually.Project findings are relevant to facilities that incinerate biosolids as well as utilities considering projects involving ‘green’ power generation. Rethinking traditional payback models and capitalizing on emerging renewable energy markets could give utilities millions of reasons to “Go Green”.