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MWRA Renewable Energy Program
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WINDAt the Deer Island Treatment Plant in Winthrop, two 190-foot, 600 kW wind turbines went on-line in November 2009. The wind turbines generate over 2 million kilowatt hours per year and provide an annual savings in electrical costs of $210,000. The $4 million project was funded in part by a $400,000 grant from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. Plans are underway for more wind turbines at Deer Island.
WIND
At the Deer Island Treatment Plant in Winthrop, two 190-foot, 600 kW wind turbines went on-line in November 2009. The wind turbines generate over 2 million kilowatt hours per year and provide an annual savings in electrical costs of $210,000. The $4 million project was funded in part by a $400,000 grant from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. Plans are underway for more wind turbines at Deer Island.
FloDesign Wind, a Massachusetts based engineering firm, has installed of a demonstrator unit of its innovative new wind turbine, which is modeled after a jet engine. It uses a shroud to concentrate wind and is expected to be 33% more efficient than a traditional blade turbine. This 100-kW turbine will be fully funded by FloDesign and should provide an annual savings in electrical costs of $30,000. In Charlestown, a 365-foot wind, 1.5 MW turbine was installed in September 2011 that will generate 3 million kilowatt hours per year and provide an annual savings in electrical costs of $300,000. This $4.7 million project was fully funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
SOLARAt Deer Island, a 100-kW roof-mounted solar photovoltaic system was installed on the Residual/Odor Control Building at Deer Island in early 2008. All power generated is being utilized on-site and provides an annual savings in electrical costs of $11,000. The $870,000 solar photovoltaic project was funded by a $310,000 CREB loan and a grant of $560,000 from the Division of Energy Resources.
SOLAR
At Deer Island, a 100-kW roof-mounted solar photovoltaic system was installed on the Residual/Odor Control Building at Deer Island in early 2008. All power generated is being utilized on-site and provides an annual savings in electrical costs of $11,000. The $870,000 solar photovoltaic project was funded by a $310,000 CREB loan and a grant of $560,000 from the Division of Energy Resources.
A 180-kW roof-mounted solar photovoltaic system was installed on the Administration/Warehouse roof in fall 2009. This $1.2 million design/build project was partially funded through ARRA and provides an annual savings in electrical costs of $19,000. Another 456 kW of solar panel were installed both on the ground under the existing wind turbines and on another roof top. The $1.1 million project was procured through a Solar Power Purchase Agreement - a financial arrangement in which a third-party developer designs, procures, installs, owns, operates and maintains the system and the host customer provides the site and purchases the electricity. The installation cost was funded through ARRA and provides an annual savings in electrical costs of $35,000. At the Carroll Water Treatment Plant in Marlborough, installation of a 496 kW, ground-mounted solar array was completed in February 2011 that will generate 616,000 kilowatt hours per year. This $2.1 million project was fully funded through ARRA and provides an annual savings in electrical costs of $87,000.
HYDROELECTRICIn Weston, a new hydroelectric generator was installed in November 2010 at the Loring Road covered storage facility, which will generate 1.2 million kilowatt hours per year. This $1.8 million project was fully funded through ARRA and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and will provide an annual savings in electrical costs of $150,000.
HYDROELECTRIC
In Weston, a new hydroelectric generator was installed in November 2010 at the Loring Road covered storage facility, which will generate 1.2 million kilowatt hours per year. This $1.8 million project was fully funded through ARRA and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and will provide an annual savings in electrical costs of $150,000.
Since 2002, energy is recovered at Deer Island by the flow of treated wastewater as it drops from the plant into the outfall tunnel shaft through two one-megawatt hydroelectric generators that produce over 5 million kW hours per year and provide an annual savings in electrical costs of $600,000. MWRA also operates hydroelectric generators where the drinking water enters and leaves the Wachusett Reservoir. At Oakdale, a 3.5 MW turbine generates 13 million kilowatt hours per year and at Cosgrove, two 1.7 MW turbines generate 3 million kilowatt hours per year and provide an annual revenue from electrical sales of $1.1 million.
METHANE/STEAM ENGINEThe methane generated from the sludge digestion process is collected and used in Deer Island’s on-site power plant to create steam that supplies hot water and heat for the facility. This results in the avoided cost of $14 million annually for the purchase of diesel fuel. The steam is also run through a steam turbine generator that produces electricity. MWRA is currently upgrading the steam co-generation system to optimize use of the digester gas by installing a back pressure turbine. The modifications are expected to increase renewable energy production by 5.5 million kW hours per year (in addition to the current 28 million kilowatt hours per year already produced) and provide a total annual savings in electrical costs of $2.8 million.
METHANE/STEAM ENGINE
The methane generated from the sludge digestion process is collected and used in Deer Island’s on-site power plant to create steam that supplies hot water and heat for the facility. This results in the avoided cost of $14 million annually for the purchase of diesel fuel. The steam is also run through a steam turbine generator that produces electricity. MWRA is currently upgrading the steam co-generation system to optimize use of the digester gas by installing a back pressure turbine. The modifications are expected to increase renewable energy production by 5.5 million kW hours per year (in addition to the current 28 million kilowatt hours per year already produced) and provide a total annual savings in electrical costs of $2.8 million.
ENERGY EFFICIENCIESMWRA has embarked on an extensive review of its facilities looking for opportunities to increase energy efficiencies. Lighting improvements have been made at each location, including the installation of motion sensors, and replacement of lamps, ballasts and signage. New variable frequency drives have been installed at a number or pumping stations – both at Deer Island and within the water system – that run motors more efficiently. HVAC system upgrades and heating set-backs have been performed at several locations and chemical mixers at the Carroll Water Treatment plant were turned off to provide savings.
ENERGY EFFICIENCIES
MWRA has embarked on an extensive review of its facilities looking for opportunities to increase energy efficiencies. Lighting improvements have been made at each location, including the installation of motion sensors, and replacement of lamps, ballasts and signage. New variable frequency drives have been installed at a number or pumping stations – both at Deer Island and within the water system – that run motors more efficiently. HVAC system upgrades and heating set-backs have been performed at several locations and chemical mixers at the Carroll Water Treatment plant were turned off to provide savings.
More info: Renewable Energy at Deer Island
Updated October 26, 2011