Muddy Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant (USA)

Background

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities provides high quality water, wastewater, and solid waste services to approximately 361,000 residential, business, and industrial users. Because of their commitment to responsible use of resources, reliable delivery and stewardship of the environment, the department wanted to cut power costs and increase the efficiency of its Muddy Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. Located on the southern border of Forsyth County and permitted for 21 million gallons per day of residential and industrial wastewater, the plant sought a solution that would allow it to increase efficiency, achieve environmental compliance, and reduce long-term power costs.

Solution

At the heart of the newly installed cogeneration facility is a single Jenbacher J416 engine running on sewage gas. The combined heat and power (CHP) solution produces 1.1 MW of power.

Muddy Creek relies on excess thermal energy created during the engine’s operation to promote its wastewater treatment processes. The facility’s efficient and economical method of energy conversion achieves lower energy costs through the use of process gas instead of purchasing gas from utilities. For improved economics, the plant is now able to coordinate interconnection with the local electric utility to export power when possible.

Results

Following installation in March 2020, the Muddy Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant has been living up to expectations—delivering greater efficiency, reducing power costs, and meeting environmental compliance for gas emissions from the facility.

Customer advantages

• Cogeneration systems usually save users about one third of primary energy when compared to separate power and heat generation.
• Muddy Creek saves even more through the use of process gas and can even generate additional income streams by selling excess power to the local utility.
• Since its installation, the system has provided reliable heat and power while achieving the expected availability level.
• The new CHP system helps the plant reach environmental gas emission targets.