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Energy Optimization

For most water facilities, energy is one of the highest costs in their operating budget. Stricter regulations are pushing facilities to use even more advanced—and energy-intensive—treatment technologies. Optimizing energy use can provide huge cost savings and numerous additional benefits, including improving air quality, protecting the environment, and bolstering energy security. WRF has published more than 100 projects that explore ways to not only optimize current energy use, but to generate power as well—setting the course for a self-sufficient water sector.

Topic Overview (PDF)
112 Projects 11 Web Tools 4 Case Studies 11 Webcasts
Integrated Planning & Water Management
Resource Recovery
Anaerobic Digestion
Innovation
Project #4788

State of the Science and Issues Related to Heat Recovery from Wastewater

$0
In Progress

Project Highlights

This research explores the feasibility of recovering thermal energy from sewage, and what the state of current technology is for doing so, It is the first step identifying prospects and practical applications of sewage thermal energy use (STEU) by water...
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Principle Investigator
Charles
Haas
Research Manager
Mr. Ashwin Dhanasekar

Energy is Embedded in Wastewater

This video discusses a suite of past WRF research co-funded by the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA), which focused on barriers to and strategies for energy optimization at water resource recovery facilities. 

Recent Updates

Project #4668

December 16, 2016 – July 15, 2017 - During this reporting period, the project team focused on Task 1 and Task 2 activities, which consisted of preparing a literature review document on advanced energy data management techniques and resources required; exploring the associated benefits, challenges, and industry leading practices

Project Update
06/09/2019
Project #4668

Data management plays a vital role in managing energy use and cost in the water and wastewater industries.

Project Update
07/10/2019
Project #4717

January 1, 2018 – July 1, 2018 - Collect and review the literature on implementation of condition assessment smart technologies at water utilities and in other industries that share similar asset systems/inventories with cross-over potential to the water industry.

Project Update
06/09/2019
Project #4717

October 1, 2018 – December 31, 2018 - Finalized the survey analysis result summary as part of Task 2 (State of the Industry Survey) based on the comments from Project Advisory Committee (PAC) members.

Project Update
06/09/2019
Project #4718

November 2017-April 2018 - A literature review document was developed based on gray and peer-reviewed articles, white papers, and other reports. 

Project Update
06/09/2019

News

Village Creek Water Reclamation Facility

Featured Facility
Ana Pena-Tijerina
06/14/2019
Village Creek Water Reclamation Facility (VCWRF) has implemented numerous energy-related improvements by executing an Energy Savings Performance Contract with Johnson Controls, Inc.
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Resources

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Related Projects

Project #1550

LCAMER: An Assessment Tool for Managing Cost-Effective Energy Recovery from Anaerobically Digested Wastewater Solids

Completed
LCAMER (Life Cycle Assessment Manager for Energy Recovery) is a spreadsheet-based tool developed for comparing the benefits and costs of onsite energy recovery alternatives throughout the lifetime of...
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Project #1536

State of the Science on Biogas: Treatment, Co-Generation, and Utilization in High Temperature Fuel Cells and as a Vehicle Fuel

Completed
The significant volume of biogas produced from the anaerobic digestion of wastewater solids is a valuable resource for energy recovery and makes this a leading investment option for...
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Project #1416

Pathways to Energy Neutrality: Victor Valley Regional Water Reclamation Facility, California

Completed
This informative 13-page factsheet documents VVRWRF’s journey from aging facility with outdated infrastructure to one that incorporated energy neutrality as a utility-wide goal, allowing it to be named...
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Project #4788

State of the Science and Issues Related to Heat Recovery from Wastewater

In Progress
This research explores the feasibility of recovering thermal energy from sewage, and what the state of current technology is for doing so, It is the first step identifying...
View more details
Project #4712

Workshop - Advancing Anaerobic Digestion of Wastewater Solids and Food Waste for Energy and Resource Recovery: Science and Solutions

In Progress
Water Resource Recovery Facilities (WRRFs) with anaerobic digesters can increase their production of biogas for energy recovery through co-digestion of organic waste, such as food waste, with wastewater...
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Project #4625

Opportunities and Barriers for Renewable and Distributed Energy Resource Development at Drinking Water and Wastewater Utilities

In Progress
The objectives of this project were to: Identify and discuss opportunities for distributed energy resource (DER) development at drinking water and wastewater utilities Assess the legislative, regulatory, and...
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Related Topics

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Resource Recovery

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Anaerobic Digestion

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Integrated Planning & Water Management

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Utility Management

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