Comparison of Greenhouse Gas Emission Assessments of Solar and Energy Efficiency Improvements at Small Water Resource Recovery Facilities

Thompson, Matthew; Dvorak, Bruce

doi:10.3390/environments11060118

Comparison of Greenhouse Gas Emission Assessments of Solar and Energy Efficiency Improvements at Small Water Resource Recovery Facilities

Journal Article · Mon Jun 03 00:00:00 EDT 2024 · Environments (Online)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.3390/environments11060118· OSTI ID:2369889

Thompson, Matthew;

Small water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) account for the majority of centralized systems in the world and have higher energy intensities than large facilities. This study compares potential greenhouse gas emission reductions based on on-site solar energy and energy efficiency (E2) improvements made at small WRRFs. Case study data from 31 existing small WRRFs in Nebraska were collected and included 35 site-specific energy efficiency (E2) recommendations and on-site solar renewable energy systems integrated at three facilities, and the data were used to compare the benefits of on-site solar energy and E2 improvements made at small WRRFs. Improvements in E2 (e.g., improved aeration control) presented the largest reduction in emissions per dollar invested. They often exhibited shorter paybacks, with operational changes in aeration strategies showing the highest impact (up to 0.2 kg CO2eq/m3 treated water). On-site solar systems showed the largest net potential for reducing environmental footprint (0.35 kg CO2eq/m3) but often showed the smallest emissions reduction per cost. While the use of both E2 improvements and the integration of on-site solar renewable energy can significantly improve the sustainability of small WRRFs, on-site solar has advantages for small facilities in that it often requires less operational involvement, allows for greater facility resiliency, and presents less uncertainty in terms of environmental benefit.

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Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: EE0007718; EE0009709

OSTI ID:: 2369889

Journal Information:: Environments (Online), Journal Name: Environments (Online) Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 11; ISSN EBSNAC; ISSN 2076-3298

Publisher:: MDPI AGCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: Canada

Language:: English

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