Wood, E. (2018, July 12). California Approves $5M to Demonstrate the Value of Microgrids for Wastewater Treatment. Retrieved November 17, 2018, from https://microgridknowledge.com/value-of-microgrids-for-wastewater-treatment/

The California Energy Commission granted $5 million to Rialto Bioenergy to pilot microgrids for wastewater treatment plants using anaerobic digesters. This project is part of the commission’s plan to encourage the use of microgrids for wastewater treatment plants despite the high initial cost. Microgrids are especially important to sustain waste management through prolonged power outages. The pilot system will include a battery storage system as well as a combined heat and power (CHP) unit, that uses biogas produced at the plant. The microgrid is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emission from the plant by twenty percent, and provide renewable energy for use by the local utility company.

This article proves the importance of wastewater treatment itself, as well as the maintenance and continuous modernization of treatment plants. The article cited Hurricane Sandy and its devastating effects on New Jersey wastewater treatment, when millions of gallons of raw sewage were dumped into waterways because treatment plants were left without power. Microgrids prevent such catastrophes from ever happening, and with self-generated power form CHP units, can even provide backup power for other facilities. The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is an added bonus. This article proves the worth of microgrids, which will hopefully be widely implemented.