Ameresco, a leading energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions company, recently announced the launch of an advanced energy program in collaboration with the Lordsburg Urban Sanitation Authority (RUSA). The program aims to increase the resilience, sustainability and cost efficiency of RUSA’s key facilities, including its headquarters, wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) and natural treatment systems (NTS).
The Oregon Department of Energy recently allocated nearly $18 million in Community Renewable Energy Grant Program funding to 34 recipients, and RUSA, in partnership with Ameresco, received nearly $2.9 million for three specific projects. I did.
A $1,000,000 grant was awarded to sustainable community partners for the installation of 800kW solar power, designed to generate 1.2 MWh annually to offset 44 percent of the wastewater treatment plant’s energy use. Supports RUSA’s goal of becoming A grant of $870,870 will be provided for the installation of 50kW solar power. An array designed to equip RUSA’s secretariat with a 186 kW battery storage system and generate 51,580 kWh annually to offset 100 percent of energy usage. The administrative office serves as a key hub for managing and overseeing sewer operations important to the community. A $1,000,000 grant will be provided toward the installation of a 400kW floating solar power system designed to generate 536,074 kWh per year to offset 64 percent of the natural treatment system’s (NTS) energy use. amount. The project maximizes energy production and land efficiency, reduces environmental impact, reduces evaporation and algae growth, increases the ecological health of ponds, and lowers wastewater temperatures to rivers. intended to lower it.
The partnership between RUSA and Ameresco reflects a growing trend among utilities to embrace renewable energy as a way to control costs, improve energy resiliency and meet community needs. Under the partnership, Ameresco will utilize a comprehensive technical energy audit (TEA) to identify savings opportunities and handle the design, construction, and integration of solar PV systems across RUSA’s facilities. The project focuses on renewable solutions such as photovoltaics and battery energy storage systems (BESS), ensuring both energy savings and system efficiency through ESPC. Oregon Department of Energy Community Renewable Energy Program grants have helped make these projects a reality, and RUSA continues to seek additional support through public and private funding sources, including Tax Credits from the Inflation Control Act .
“Wastewater treatment plants are among the most energy-intensive public services, so RUSA’s project is an important step forward in reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainability,” said Ameresco Executive Vice President President Lou Maltezos said. “This collaboration is an excellent model for how public organizations can implement innovative solutions to address modern energy challenges while promoting the well-being of their communities.”
The solar installation will play a key role in reducing energy consumption across RUSA’s facilities, reflecting the wastewater industry’s growing interest in the environmental and economic benefits of renewable energy .
RUSA’s commitment to community involvement and education makes this project particularly unique. Alongside infrastructure development, RUSA and Ameresco are developing an energy education program for local schools with the aim of inspiring future generations and increasing community awareness of renewable energy.
“Our work with Ameresco is more than an investment in renewable energy. It’s an investment in the future of our community,” said Jim Baird, RUSA’s general manager. “By reducing energy costs and increasing the resilience of our infrastructure, we can continue to effectively deliver public services during emergencies while establishing ourselves as a leader in sustainable wastewater management. .”
In addition to the immediate benefits of energy savings and resilience, the project will also support local economic growth through job creation and inclusion of disadvantaged businesses. RUSA demonstrates how renewable energy projects can positively impact a community’s economic framework by promoting an inclusive workforce.
