Ameresco to set up $48 million wastewater biogas-to-energy facility for Philadelphia Water Department

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Ameresco to set up $48 million wastewater biogas-to-energy facility for Philadelphia Water Department

By Greentech Lead Team: Ameresco, a provider of renewable
energy solutions, has signed an agreement with Philadelphia Water Department
(PWD) to design, build and maintain a $47.5 million innovative wastewater
biogas-to-energy facility.

The Northeast Water Pollution Control Plant (NEWPCP)
Biogas Project will use biogas from the NEWPCP digesters to generate
electricity and thermal energy for use on-site. The project will generate 5.6
MW of power and expected to reduce PWD energy costs by over $12 million over
the course of the 16 year contract.

The project is expected to reduce carbon emissions by
nearly 22,000 tons per year, which equates to the removal of 4,833 cars off the
road or the planting of 5,390 acres of pine forest.

Currently, half of the biogas generated from the
wastewater treatment process is used to heat processes at the NEWPCP, while the
other half is being flared. The Biogas Project will now be used as a ready
source of renewable energy and provide a secure source of green energy for
NEWPCP.

“Recovering the hidden fuel in our wastewater treatment
processes helps to diversify our energy portfolio, while improving the environment
through innovative, green technology. The Northeast Cogeneration facility
demonstrates PWD’s national leadership in transforming the traditional
wastewater plant into the resource recovery facility of the future,” said
Howard Neukrug, water commissioner. 

Under the terms of the agreement, Ameresco
will manage engineering, procurement, construction and maintenance on the
project.

The partnership between the City and Ameresco qualifies
the project to obtain a grant made possible through the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act. Bank of America Merrill Lynch, through its Energy Services
business unit, has agreed to provide the financing for this project.

“As a part of this contract, Ameresco developed an
Economic Opportunity Plan that will bring green jobs to the local community.
Ameresco is looking forward to making this project a reality for the
Philadelphia Water Department and the residents of Philadelphia,” said Michael
T. Bakas, senior vice president, Ameresco.  

Recently, Ameresco announced the completion of the first
two phases of a $6.05 million multi-phase solar initiative at the Wilson Middle
School.

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