MWRA - EPA ADMINISTRATOR ANNOUNCES ARRA PROJECT FUNDING AT DEER ISLAND

Today, EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson was at the Deer Island Treatment Plant to announce funding for the national stimulus effort on energy efficiency and renewable energy at wastewater and drinking water facilities across the country. She was joined by Ian A. Bowles, Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

Among the projects in Massachusetts is a $1.6 million design/build project for a 180 kW roof-mounted solar photovoltaic system to be installed on the Maintenance/Warehouse Building at the Deer Island Wastewater Treatment Plant.

This project is being funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act as part of the $25 million in Clean Water SRF stimulus funding currently allocated to MWRA by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.

All power generated will be utilized on-site. Deer Island currently self-generates over 20% of its electricity needs and more than half of the Island’s energy demand is provided by on-site, renewable generation.

This is the second solar project at the treatment plant. A 100 kW roof-mounted solar photovoltaic system was installed on the Residual/Odor Control Building at Deer Island in early 2008, which was funded through Department of Energy grants and Clean Renewable Energy Bonds.

Construction is underway for the installation of two 190-foot wind turbines, with the potential of three more to follow.

Methane is collected and used in Deer Island’s on-site power plant to create steam to supply hot water and heat for the facility. That steam is also used to generate electricity.

An upcoming project will modify the steam co-generation system and optimize use of methane by installing a back pressure turbine at the Thermal/Power Plant.

The plant’s hydroelectric facility also harnesses the power of the effluent as it drops into the outfall shaft.

Electrical upgrades are ongoing to replace aging equipment with more energy efficient technology.

A multi-phase lighting improvement program is underway aimed at replacing existing lamps and ballasts with high performance fluorescent reduced wattage fixtures, integrated day lighting, occupancy controls, and replacement of “Exit” signs with LED technology.