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Water provider takes green power leadership seriously

East Bay Municipal Utility District has gained attention for its long-standing commitment to renewable energy as one of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partnership top 25 green power purchasers.

The Oakland, Calif., water and wastewater utility became a partner in 2002 as part of what EBMUD Public Information Representative Andrea Pook calls, “an aggressive push across the board to increase the sustainability of our operations.”

Cogeneration offers advantages
The Green Power Partnership provides assistance and recognition to organizations that demonstrate environmental leadership by choosing green power. “Leader” certainly describes EBMUD, which has been generating electricity from biogas at its main water treatment facility since 1983. The Elmer E. Ross Cogeneration Plant produces 75 percent of its own electricity, earning EBMUD 18 th place on the partnership’s most recent quarterly list.

Biogas captured from the treatment process fires three dual-fuel engines rated at 2.15 MW each. The plant is capable of generating 6.5 MW, but operations require only 5.5 MW on an average dry weather day. During peak production, the system puts 10 percent of its generation onto the grid.

Powering the plant with biogas-generated electricity and using the recovered heat to heat its 11 digesters saves EBMUD about $2,000,000 annually. Self-generation reduces the district’s reliance on scarce fossil fuels and fits EBMUD’s mission statement to promote environmental responsibility, said Pook. It also kept the plant online during the rolling blackouts of the California energy crisis.

Plan sets example, spreads word
The energy crisis spurred EBMUD to improve on an already sound environmental record. Keenly aware of the water/energy connection, EBMUD saw that wide adoption of renewable energy technologies would be in the utility’s best interest. But more than that, “We want to set an example as good environmental stewards,” Pook said.

Joining the Green Power Partnership was part of that effort, as was commissioning a plan for EBMUD’s role in facilitating renewable energy use. A technical advisory committee of renewable energy experts examined the district’s options, and concluded that the best way for EBMUD to promote renewable energy was to “green” its own operations.

EBMUD adopted an overall sustainability program that included water recycling and conservation, converting its sedan fleet to hybrid electric cars and buying from green vendors whenever possible. “Basically, we’ve been working our way through the district to see where we can do a better job,” said Pook.

The TAC also recommended marketing and public outreach to communicate EBMUD’s achievements and policy to its customers. “We did market surveys as part of the plan, and learned that our customers are very environmentally conscious,” said Pook. “We also found that they don’t realize how environmentally conscious East Bay MUD is.”

Green Power Partnership tools are helping EBMUD spread the word about the benefits of renewable energy use to its ratepayers. The tools include the Communications Guide for Green Power Partners, press releases and media kits, sample Web pages and fact sheets. “The bill stuffers and press releases we’ve sent out have been very useful,” commented Pook.

EBMUD’s experience is customers’ gain
Appearing twice on the partnership’s top 25 list doesn’t hurt either, and the distinction will likely continue as EBMUD builds on past successes. When the cogeneration system went online, it provided about 40 percent of the power needed for wastewater treatment. That figure has grown to 75 percent, said Pook, “Because we’re getting smarter about energy generation and conservation.”

Efforts to save energy at the wastewater treatment plant are continuing. An equipment upgrade to be completed in 18 months is expected to further reduce power consumption 200,000 kWh per year for an additional cost savings of $150,000. Also, replacing air blowers in the aerated grit system with air pumps that use centrifugal force will cut the system’s energy use by 70 percent.

The plant has seen a recent increase in trucked-in waste, too, resulting in more biogas generation. That additional fuel could be used to fire a fourth co-generator—EBMUD is conducting a feasibility study on adding another unit to the plant’s system. The long-term goal of these measures is full energy self-sufficiency at the district’s main wastewater treatment plant.

Beyond the goal is EBMUD’s vision: using its renewable energy experience to help water customers to increase their own renewable energy use. East Bay Municipal Utility District has spent years earning its stripes as a green power leader, and it is eager to show others the way.