Energy Management Plan for the Cost Saving of Larger Utilities

Supplying drinking water and treating wastewater requires a lot of energy. Rising energy costs and climate change have made the issue of energy cost and supply very important for the water industry. Most water and wastewater facilities were built when energy costs and supply were not a major concern. With the large pumps, drives, motors, lighting and HVAC equipment operating 24 hours a day, water and wastewater utilities are among the largest individual energy users. The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) operates 5 water treatment plants, 20 water pump stations, and 9 wastewater collection pump stations, one of the country's largest wastewater treatment plant, combined sewer overflow basins, and several offices. DWSD is DTE Energy's top 20 customers. DWSD spends approximately 45 to 55 million in electric costs every year. In 2007 DWSD developed an Energy Management Plan to control energy costs, improve operational efficiency, reduce environmental impacts, and ensure reliable supplies of energy. This manuscript presents how DWSD has implemented an Energy Management Plan to achieve substantial savings and reduced environmental impacts.