Overcoming Hurdles to Make Energy Recovery a Reality

Presentation Description: As energy markets shift, as codigestion creates opportunities for increased biogas production and revenue, and as new technologies are deployed, Wastewater Agencies must seek to exploit every opportunity to recover more energy, operate Energy Recovery Facilities cost effectively, and navigate a dynamic funding and regulatory markets to bring projects to successful completion. The City of Roseville has done just that. The Energy Recovery Project at the Pleasant Grove Wastewater Treatment Plant (PGWWTP) is now in operation – turning codigestion feedstocks and municipal biogas into renewable vehicle fuel, renewable power, and heat for processes. This project includes a High Strength Waste Receiving Station, Biogas Upgrading System, CNG Fueling Facility, and microturbines. The project received grant funding from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund Green Project Reserve, the California Energy Commission Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program, and local air quality management district. With its operation, the City will generate revenue from tipping fees, fuel sale, and renewable fuel credits while offsetting electricity and heating costs.

Delivering a successful project takes much more than a technical solution – it takes collaboration, creativity, flexibility and determination. Energy projects are burdened by a need for economic payback – making their justification a constant challenge throughout project development. In addition, these projects involve multiple stakeholders and require coordination with outside agencies.

In this presentation, we will describe the hurdles faced in the course of the Energy Recovery Project and share our approach, mindset and lessons learned so that other agencies can deliver successful projects as well. Specific challenges include:
- COVID (extended schedule opens the project to more challenges and changes)
- Dynamic funding environment (tracking and securing funding)
- Regulatory and legislative changes
- Start-up
- Coordinating with other utilities and stakeholders