Economic analysis study for implementing wind power at Nansemond Treatment Plant

Abstract

Wastewater treatments plants contain processes that have high energy consumption. Implementing wind energy can reduce energy derived from fossil fuel use and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater treatment plants. Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) may be able to implement wind energy at the Nansemond Treatment Plant if it is cost-effective for them. A preliminary wind resource and site characterization was conducted. The System Advisory Model (SAM) was used to determine if the implementation of one or more wind turbines at Nansemond would be economically beneficial for HRSD. The results showed that the wind resource at the Nansemond Treatment Plant has a wind power classification of 1 (poor), the open area of 1.65 acres is the primary location for a wind turbine, and the GE 1.5sle turbine is the more-cost effective option of the wind turbines studied. Overall recommendations are for HRSD to continue to pursue the installation of the GE 1.5sle wind turbine at the Nansemond Treatment Plant because it would lessen the electrical demand from the grid and has the best economic benefit of all turbines studied.