Minnesota

Wastewater Treatment Plant Cohort Energy Efficiency Training

Minnesota Technical Assistance Program at the University of Minnesota provide local government mechanical wastewater treatment plants treating flows up to 10 million gallons per day with technical services to identify and support implementation of cost-effective energy improvement projects. 

1. REopt resilience value analysis (.pdf)
   The project goal is to provide metrics on resilience value that can be used for energy system planning and funding requests, and to create a replicable process of analysis for additional sites. City of Albert Lea wastewater treatment plant will receive customized analysis of optimal energy system configurations and specifications using NREL’s REopt tool. It is anticipated that a summary of results will be posted when completed.  
2. Long-duration Energy Storage Study
   The project goal is to optimize long duration energy storage system (LDESS) configurations for representative wastewater treatment facilities throughout Minnesota considering lithium-ion batteries, flow batteries, hydrogen, and ammonia as energy storage options. City of St. Cloud wastewater treatment plant analysis is completed, and it is anticipated that a summary of results will be posted soon. 

SB 2030 Wastewater Treatment Plant Review
A set of minimum energy conservation measures and process that should be considered for wastewater treatment plant designs compiled by Center for Sustainable Building Research at the University of Minnesota

Other Technical & Project Assistance
The Minnesota Department of Commerce provides and supports a number of programs to assist public entities with the implementation of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.

Minnesota

Minnesota Rural Water Association Energy Efficiency Program
Minnesota Rural Water Association has implemented a program to assist water and wastewater utility systems to evaluate and lower their energy consumption and costs. This energy efficiency assessment considers current and past energy use, identifies the primary energy consuming components, and identifies methods to lower energy use and costs. The eligible systems will serve communities with fewer than 10,000 people, as well as rural areas and similar entities qualified to receive USDA Rural Development water and wastewater loans and grants.

Minnesota Technical Assistance Program, Publicly Owned Treatment Works
A wide variety of resources, including WWTP Energy Project, Energy Training Program, Benchmarking, Energy Efficiency, and others.

Central States Water Environment Association, Minnesota, Resource Recovery & Energy
Central States Water Environment Association’s mission is to provide a Water Environment Federation (WEF) organization (Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin) offering multiple opportunities for the exchange of water quality knowledge and experiences among its members and the public and to foster a greater awareness of water quality achievements and challenges. Minnesota Resource Recovery & Energy Committee’s mission is to increase communication and provide tools and resources for all interested parties that are enhancing their nutrient recovery and energy related opportunities

National

U.S. Department of Energy Better Plants program
Wastewater treatment plant virtual in-plant training systems tools & resources, recorded sessions, and briefing materials

Minnesota

State Energy Program Competitive Award Final Project Report: Energy Efficiency Implementation in Minnesota Wastewater Treatment Facilities (.pdf)

National Governor’s Association Energy Water Nexus Action Plan 2018
This action plan was developed based on feedback provided as a result of the Minnesota National Governor’s Association Water Energy Nexus Retreat convened August 3, 2018 where local and national experts presented and discussed water utility energy efficiency opportunities and constraints in an effort to expand and enhance Minnesota’s water utility energy efficiency. The action plan is broken down into four key strategy areas: policy, finance, technical assistance, and workforce development. 

• Report (.pdf)
• Presentations (.pdf)

National Governor’s Association Energy Water Nexus Action Plan 2021 Progress Update
Coming soon

Driving Wastewater Treatment Energy Efficiency, A Cohort Training and Implementation Plan (.pdf)

Energy Efficiency Market Study: Determining the Energy Efficiency Opportunity Potential at Minnesota Drinking Water Utilities (.pdf)