Anchorage Water and Wastewater Utilities (AWWU), Alaska, 40 kW, Distribution System Regulator Vault Application

Rentricity’s Flow-to-Wire (F2W) in-conduit hydropower energy recovery solution permits AWWU to recover energy that would normally be dissipated during normal water delivery between different distribution zones. The excess pressure is converted to electricity that in turn offsets essentially all of the consumptive electric load and a portion of the demand load of a close-by AWWU facility normally assessed by Chugach Electric. This large offset substantially reduces a major operating cost for the facility and lowers the AWWU’s and Chugach’s carbon footprint.

The performance of the F2W energy recovery system has exceeded expectations for power output and reliability. The system has had 100% availability since beginning commercial operation in January 2022. For the baseline flow condition of 5 MGD, the F2W has consistently generated power at or exceeding 40 kW; slightly above projected performance.

Incorporating flexibility in the SEMS control scheme and programming in the integrated PLC allows for maximum flexibility for AWWU in operating the system. This flexibility allows for adjustments in a variety of pressure, flow and level setpoints and permissives; all from the Operator’s SCADA. Also, AWWU has the flexibility to move from flow to pressure regulating regimes.