2026 Event Schedule

The nation’s wastewater sector represents a substantial municipal energy load, driven primarily by high-intensity aeration required for nutrient removal. By understanding and facilitating the implementation of optimized nutrient control strategies—such as advanced Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and Ammonium-based Aeration Control (ABAC)—electric utilities can unlock significant, persistent energy savings.

This workshop will provide the necessary conceptual framework, practical collaboration strategies, and technical data to help utility teams successfully design and deploy demand-side management (DSM) programs. Attendees will gain insight into how these partnerships directly lead to reduced peak demand, lower system costs, and measurable customer energy savings, turning a regulatory mandate for water quality into a high-value energy efficiency opportunity for your service territory.

Part 1 - The Wastewater-Energy Nexus: Opportunities for Collaboration - 12:15 - 1:05 pm

This discussion will provide a conceptual overview, establishing that wastewater treatment is a major energy consumer due to the high energy demand of aeration for ammonia removal. The discussion will highlight the significant energy-saving potential, often 10-40%, unlocked by optimizing these processes, and review successful national programs where electric utilities have partnered with wastewater facilities to realize reduced peak demand and create new energy efficiency program opportunities.

Part 2 – Making Energy Connections with Wastewater Utilities - 1:05 - 1:45 pm

This discussion will outline perspectives to helping electric utility personnel understand the direct value of connecting with wastewater decision-makers. The conversation will focus on practical strategies for initiating conversations, overcoming common barriers, and demonstrating the ROI for the electric utility through successful program implementation and the delivery of reliable demand-side management benefits.

Part 3 – Case Studies to Understand the Mechanics of Energy Savings: 1:45 - 2:20 pm

This presentation will provide a deep dive into the specific mechanics of how wastewater nutrient optimization directly translates into energy savings for the local provider. It will explain how advanced control systems like Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and Ammonium-based Aeration Control (ABAC) reduce the energy consumed by blowers—the largest energy draw. Presenter will outline data-driven examples and case studies that clearly show the before-and-after reduction in kilowatt (kW) demand and kilowatt-hour (kWh) usage achieved by optimized facilities.

Part 4 - Shared Sustainability & Affordability: A Case Study in Power and Water Collaboration with Solar PV and Batteries - 2:20 - 3:00 pm

EPCOR Water and EPCOR Distribution & Transmission partnered to design and implement a Solar PV and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with advanced integrated operations controls, creating a solution that reduces energy demand, optimizes load management, and improves system reliability while minimizing the need for additional distribution infrastructure. This innovative collaboration not only enhances sustainability and operational efficiency but also delivers financial savings for rate payers of both utilities, all while improving service quality and resilience across both critical infrastructure systems.