In the United States (US), energy efficiency and renewable energy company Ameresco, Inc, has been selected by the City of Troutdale, Oregon for a US$2.2 million turnkey upgrade project on a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) under an Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC). The energy and infrastructure improvements are expected to reduce City’s electric, gas, and potable water usage.
According to a statement, upgrades will be completed on the blowers, diffusers, UV system, distribution piping, and lighting throughout the 20-year old wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). These improvements will alleviate the risk associated with aging equipment while reducing the annual energy, gas, and water costs to the City.
Fred Ostler, public works director for the City, says these improvements will allow the plant to function more efficiently and reduce energy and operating costs.
The plant was facing a number of issues with equipment nearing the end of useful life. We needed to complete these upgrades before we experienced failures and being able to capitalize on the associated energy savings was a strategic and creative win for the City and the community, Ostler said.
Troutdale has contracted with Ameresco, utilizing an Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) which sets a maximum implementation cost for the project and guarantees the energy savings. As part of its contract, Ameresco is responsible for design, installation, commissioning, and verification.
Improvement measures will include replacing the aeration basin blower; installing ultra-fine bubble diffusers; upgrading the UV disinfection system; installing new HVAC controls; and retrofitting lighting fixtures with LEDs. The new effluent water distribution piping has been designed to reuse water from the effluent well, reducing the plant’s need for potable water.
Ameresco is pleased to partner with the City of Troutdale to provide energy upgrades and infrastructure upgrades throughout their wastewater treatment plant. Utilizing an ESPC, Ameresco was able to assist Troutdale in sourcing the best-qualified contractors and the best available equipment for their specific plant said Louis Maltezos, Executive Vice President of Ameresco.
The project is expected to be completed in 2019.
