In 2010, US EPA estimated that 3% of national electricity consumption is related to the conveyance and treatment of water and wastewater – equivalent to approximately 100 billion kW or $7.5 billion per year.
RWRD’s energy demand of the collection system is somewhat constant. Pumps operate nonstop to convey wastewater from homes and businesses to the Wastewater Reclamation Facilities. However, the energy demand increases, especially, after the two regional WRFs are upgraded to produce higher quality of effluent under more stringent permit requirements regulated by ADEQ. Energy management becomes more important.
RWRD Energy Management Program includes two major components:
- Energy Conservation
- Renewable Energy