Demand Response in Wastewater: Enhancing Control, Cutting Costs and Going Green

The EPA recently estimated that over $600 billion is needed for essential drinking water infrastructure upgrades, a figure that climbs to more than $1.3 trillion over the next 20 years when including wastewater and stormwater systems. As utility prices rise, wastewater plants face increasing pressure to find cost-saving solutions that support these facilities' substantial energy consumption. With pumps, aerators and other equipment processing millions of gallons daily, water treatment facilities rank among the largest power consumers in many communities.

Simultaneously, sustainability and environmental responsibility continue to be a growing priority for energy-intensive sectors like water treatment. Efficient energy management is vital for maintaining operational stability and meeting carbon neutral goals, especially as more intense and unpredictable weather events place additional strain on outdated stormwater systems. One effective way to address these challenges is by integrating demand response (DR) programs into wastewater operations.

Enhanced Operational Control Through Demand Response

Wastewater facilities must operate continuously to ensure water is treated and safely returned to the environment — with revenue closely tied to the volume of water processed daily. This creates a strong incentive to maintain uninterrupted operations. However, fluctuating energy demands can strain both the electrical grid and plant operations, potentially leading to brownouts or blackouts. DR programs offer a viable solution by providing water agencies with the flexibility to adjust energy use in real-time based on grid conditions. For example, treatment plants can reduce non-essential power usage or reschedule energy-intensive tasks to avoid operations during peak demand periods when electricity prices are high.

Automated DR solutions provide even more efficiency. While many treatment plants already leverage remote control and monitoring systems to manage operations, integrating auto-DR capabilities allows facilities to customize and set automatic triggers for specific energy-saving measures, ensuring that day-to-day operations remain unaffected. 

Automation also provides critical flexibility during extreme weather events or other emergencies that impact the power grid. When electricity is limited, plants can curb energy use for various processes while continuing essential operations to ensure public health and safety during a crisis.

Cost Reduction Opportunities with Demand Response

Participating in DR programs offers significant cost-saving opportunities for wastewater treatment plants. As utilities are typically one of the largest expenses for these facilities, controlling energy costs is essential for financial stability. DR provides a direct path to reducing these costs by minimizing power consumption during high-demand periods when electricity rates peak.

Utilities charge more for electricity during peak times due to the increased stress on the grid. By shifting energy use to off-peak hours, treatment plants can lower their energy bills significantly. Integrating smart, automated DR solutions enables facilities to seamlessly regulate energy use without manual intervention to better optimize energy consumption patterns, resulting in substantial cost reductions.

Beyond lowering energy bills, water agencies can earn payments simply by participating in DR programs. To maximize the value of every flexible kilowatt, utility providers and grid operators offer financial incentives to DR participants for contributing to a resilient power grid, creating new revenue streams for wastewater treatment plants. In some areas, participants may also qualify for utility rebates that can be used toward control upgrades, programming and sometimes, even new SCADA systems. 

Environmental and Sustainability Benefits

Water agencies are under growing pressure to reduce their environmental impact, especially as regulations target greenhouse gas emissions. As significant energy consumers, wastewater treatment plants contribute substantially to a community’s carbon footprint. Participating in DR programs offers an effective way to reduce this impact and align with sustainability goals.

During peak demand periods, power companies often rely on fossil fuel-based plants, such as coal or natural gas, to meet energy needs. These plants emit large amounts of carbon dioxide and other pollutants. By reducing energy use during these times, water agencies help lower the demand for non-renewable plants, leading to a reduction in overall emissions.

Participating in DR programs also promotes grid stability by helping to prevent blackouts and brownouts, which can otherwise force utilities to bring more polluting power plants online. By avoiding the need for such emergency measures, water facilities can contribute to a cleaner and more stable energy system.

Additionally, DR supports the integration of renewable energy into the grid. Wastewater treatment plants can adjust their energy use based on the availability of renewable energy, reducing consumption when these sources are less available. This flexibility helps smooth out fluctuations in renewable energy production, supporting the transition to a greener, more sustainable energy grid.

Practical Steps for Implementing Demand Response

To take advantage of DR, the first step is to assess energy usage. Wastewater treatment plants need to examine energy consumption patterns to identify peak energy usage times and areas for power curtailment. Once the analysis is complete, plants can begin to implement DR strategies that align with and support core operational needs.

Partnering with a trusted distributed energy resource management provider is a great way to streamline this process. These providers have the expertise to integrate DR capabilities into a facility’s existing systems and optimize energy use. Advanced technology, such as smart automation, can further enhance the effectiveness by automating energy-saving measures during peak demand times.

Conclusion

DR is a powerful tool for wastewater treatment plants, enhancing operational control by providing flexibility during high-demand periods, reducing the risk of power interruptions, and ensuring consistent operations. It also offers significant financial benefits by lowering energy bills and providing incentives for participation. Additionally, DR supports water agencies in achieving their environmental sustainability goals by reducing carbon emissions and enhancing grid stability. For water agencies seeking to optimize their energy use and reduce costs, DR is a smart addition to any strategic energy management plan. 

To fully capitalize on these benefits and position your facility for long-term success, consider partnering with a leading DR and distributed energy resource management provider like Enersponse. Connect with Enersponse today to explore the opportunities with a demand response expert to help your plant thrive.