Recognized with an Award of Excellence at the 2022 Canadian Consulting Engineering Awards, the three facilities are estimated to reduce green house gas emissions at each plant by approximately 20 per cent by offsetting approximately 550 tonnes of CO2 per year during the first year of operation compared to current operating conditions. This is anticipated to increase to a reduction of 2,200 tCO2 in 2041 as the biogas volumes increase and the supplemental gas decreases, as compared to current operating practices. The engines have been operating for approximately one year. During this first year of operation the Region was able to offset approximately $1.7M in electrical costs with the operation of the three engines, or between 30 and 50 per cent of the electricity costs at each WWTP. The Region is still working on optimizing the operation of the engines and expects in the subsequent years to offset between 50 and 80 per cent of electricity costs. The Region took a unique approach to the design of the three cogeneration facilities. “Cogeneration engines are often sized based on biogas availability when the units are initially commissioned,” says Law. “As populations grow, wastewater and associated biogas quantity increases. The ability to fully utilize the available biogas over the 20-year anticipated lifespan of the engines is limited. The project team analyzed scenarios to select the best approach to use the most of this available resource.” The recommendation was to size the engines based on the anticipated gas flows over the 20-year operating period, says Law. “The operation of these engines will be achieved with the installation of dual fuel cogeneration engines, which allow engines to operate with a blend of biogas and natural gas. The approach of using dual fuel engines allows the Region to fully utilize all of the biogas produced by the wastewater treatment process through the full life cycle of the engines.” For more information, please visit www.regionofwaterloo.ca 81 APR 2023 | BUSINESS ELITE CANADA
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTE4MTQ=