Massachusetts Department of Environment Protection (MassDEP) recently kicked off a Pump System Optimization Training Program in conjunction with the Hydraulic Institute (HI) to conduct pump system optimization and pumping energy assessments on both drinking water and wastewater facilities across the state.

Pumping systems represent a major load for these plants, utilizing approximately 90 percent of electric usage for water facilities and 20 to 30 percent at wastewater facilities. MassDEP and the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) are identifying ways to increase long-term pump system efficiencies and obtain significant life-cycle cost savings – like energy, operations, and maintenance and reliability – to participating municipalities.

Additionally, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is teaming up with both Eversource, New England’s largest energy provider and National Grid, an international electricity and gas company that serves Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York, in bringing energy incentive programs and a utility implementation plan focused on cost-effective, electrical savings opportunities for pump systems.

“Eversource is always looking for ways to bring new energy solutions to our customers,” said Tilak Subrahmanian, Vice President of Energy Efficiency at Eversource.  “We see this pump system initiative as a long-term commitment to sustainable energy efficiency practices that will yield positive results.”

“At National Grid, our mission is to be a catalyst for energy savings opportunities,” notes Ram Kondapi,Sr. Engineer / Energy Products & Services, National Grid. “We view Pump System Optimization within the wastewater/water sector as a clear path to improving energy efficiency in this vital sector.  This effort falls in line with our efforts to motivate our customers to take a systems approach to motor driven systems.”

A Municipal Training Session, the first phase of the Pump System Optimization Program, was conducted November 4, 2015 at the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Field headquarters. Working with William C. Livoti (HI Subject Matter Expert on pumping systems) and WEG Electric (HI member), HI presented a pump system optimization strategy that identified qualified and quantified energy savings opportunities by maximizing system performance.

The program also presented data on how energy reduction is typically accomplished through reliability improvements by making mechanical or control modifications to the pump systems. This statewide initiative has targeted a 10 percent pumping reduction in electricity (MWh), which, if met, is expected to save more than $3 million in electrical costs.

William Livoti states, “When pump system assessments are completed and process improvements are implemented correctly, HI has seen facilities and plants achieve up to 20 to 40 percent in energy savings.”

A link to all the Workshop Presentations & Materials can be found here: Massachusetts Pump System Optimization Workshop – Water & Wastewater

Based on facility participation from this initial outreach session, MassDEP and all of its partners will be planning and implementing the next phase in conducting state-wide pump system assessments.

“MWRA is pleased with this combined Massachusetts state and utility initiative on the Pump System Optimization process,” says David Shea, Maintenance Manager, Deer Island, MWRA. “In addition to implementing internal training programs and ongoing pump systems audits to decrease our energy consumption, we will continue to engage with our local utility company on all the energy incentive programs.”

For more information on HI Pump Systems Optimization Programs, refer to the website at www.Pumps.org or call Mark Sullivan, Director, Education & Marketing, Hydraulic Institute at 973-349-5329.