WASHINGTON (June 24, 2013) – Danfoss, a manufacturer of high efficiency electronic and mechanical components and controls for HVAC, industry and water, joined with the Alliance to Save Energy and the Water Environment Federation to host a “The Imperative for a Sustainable Infrastructure” – a briefing on Capitol Hill to discuss water and energy efficiency.
The briefing, which drew attendance from regulatory agencies, congressional staff, advocacy organizations and industry, addressed existing technologies, best practices and various policies and financing mechanisms that can be applied to improve water and energy efficiency in water and wastewater treatment plants. Speakers included:
• John Masters, Vice President, Sales – Water, Danfoss
• Ed McCormick, Manager of Wastewater Engineering, East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD); and Vice President, Water Environment Federation
• Mark Wagner, Vice President for Government Relations, Johnson Controls
The Rationale for Efficiency
According to the experts’ testimony, improving efficiency in all sectors is critical to boosting the U.S. economy, preserving the environment and increasing energy security:
• Water and wastewater facilities account for approximately 3 to 4 percent of the United States’ annual electricity consumption.
• The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that the water and wastewater treatment sector is the third largest energy consuming sector, using more than 55 billion kilowatt-hours per year.
• Between 3,000 and 6,000 gallons of water are required to power one 60W incandescent bulb for 12 hours a day over the course of one year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
For many U.S. municipalities, energy costs for water and wastewater treatment services are a significant portion of operating costs. Energy efficiency, therefore, represents a powerful tool to reduce costs, enhance customer service and improve sustainability.
Energy-Saving Technologies
The briefing highlighted two existing technologies that could improve the energy use of wastewater treatment plants:
• Anaerobic digestion – A biological process in which organic waste materials are broken down by bacteria in an air-tight, oxygen-free tank. Hydrolysis then results in the conversion of organic acids into 55 to 75 percent pure methane, or biogas. The biogas is entirely renewable and can be used to fuel generators or other technologies, such as combined heat and power (CHP).
• Cogeneration – A process that simultaneously produces electricity and heat from the same fuel input and has an efficiency level of 80 percent, compared to separate centralized energy producers, which have efficiency levels of only 45 percent. According to an Oak Ridge National Laboratory Study, cogeneration accounts for 9 percent of the United States’ electricity generating capacity. Increasing the cogeneration proportion to 20 percent by 2030 would reduce U.S. carbon dioxide emissions by 600 million tons. [i]
Both anaerobic digestion and cogeneration have helped EBMUD become the first net-positive energy wastewater treatment agency, producing more energy than it consumers. McCormick explained that EBMUD’s cogeneration plant has a capacity of 11.1 MW, which exceeds the demand of the main wastewater treatment plant, thereby enabling EBMUD to sell electricity into the grid.
John Masters demonstrated the energy saving potential of variable frequency drives (VFDs), a readily-available and proven technology.
“By updating motor-driven electricity systems, we could save up to 2 billion kilowatt-hours, or 11 to 18 percent, annually,” commented Masters. “Variable speed technology can be applied in both new and retrofit applications, is easily implemented and can save up to 20 percent on electrical costs and 30 percent on annual water usage.” He also explained how off-grid pumping systems and off-peak power technologies could result in further savings and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
However, while these existing technologies are highly effective, viable solutions, they must be utilized properly and deployed rapidly in order to realize real efficiency gains and reduce costs. Today, financing and is one of the most significant obstacles to implementing energy efficiency projects, dictating a need for the development of financial solutions and incentives, particularly for water and wastewater treatment plants.
Fortunately, when technologies like cogeneration and variable frequency drives are deployed in water applications, they result in energy savings that serve as revenue streams for the municipality. Energy service companies (ESCOs) and energy savings performance contracts (ESPCs) are critical to helping advance these technologies, and can provide the funding required to help this reduced energy use pay for the cost of the initial investment.
“A good retrofit example,” explained Masters, “is the wastewater treatment plant in Moundsville, W.Va. After updating its three 75-HP centrifugal blowers with one 100-HP and one 50-HP rotary lobe blower, each installed with a Danfoss VLT® AQUA Drive and reducing net-revenue water — the water lost through leaks or metering inaccuracies before reaching the customer, the plant has slashed its energy costs by $50,000 to $60,000 annually.
“These technologies make good financial sense, but it is critical that we seek ways to accelerate the deployment of these existing technologies in order to create the more efficient water systems that will further encourage rapid deployment of future technology deployments.”
In March, Danfoss, WEF and the Alliance to Save Energy released a report from the jointly-sponsored Water-Energy Future Workshop also held in Washington, D.C., in November 2012. The workshop focused attention on the need for coordination among stakeholders in the water and energy sector to increase energy efficiency and generation in the water/wastewater treatment sector.
To read the workshop’s report, visit the Danfoss website at http://bit.ly/149IFs8.
Danfoss researches, develops and produces high efficiency electronic and mechanical components and controls for air-conditioning, heating, refrigeration and motion control systems – as well as solutions for renewable energy technologies such as solar power.
With sales offices and production facilities located throughout North America, Danfoss has the local support necessary to help our customers solve their greatest challenges. Through EnVisioneeringSM, Danfoss creates engaged partnerships with our customers by combining engineering innovation to develop products and solutions that are energy efficient and environmentally responsible, while also helping to reduce emissions and ensure sustainable business growth.
Mon, 06/24/2013 - 09:14