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Forward
Thinking
Atlantic County Utilities Authority
Jersey-Atlantic Wind Farm Project
The Jersey-Atlantic Wind Farm project is
the first commercial wind farm in New Jersey, and the
first urban wind farm in the country; and for its solar
project, the second largest in New Jersey. The combined
wind farm and solar installation make the ACUA the largest
hybrid powered wastewater facility in the nation. Both of
these projects represent a new approach to an old problem:
rising energy prices.
Wind energy is one of the cleanest forms of
energy, ranked second after solar. As wind turbine
technology has improved, prices have come down and wind
power is finally becoming more prevalent across the United
States. Along with its partner, Community Energy, Inc.,
the ACUA has successfully built the first commercial wind
project in New Jersey, and the nation’s first coastal (and
urban!) wind farm. The 7.5 megawatt wind farm consists of
five 1.5 megawatt turbines manufactured by General
Electric. The tower hubs are approximately 262 feet high,
each with three rotors of 118 feet for a total height of
380 feet (as high as a 32 story building). The rotors are
231 feet across (longer than the wing span of a commercial
airplane). Each turbine is capable of producing 1.5
megawatts of energy that is enough energy to power 2,300
homes. When operating at design wind speeds the wind farm
can produce up to 7.5 MW of electric power. It is
estimated that the ACUA will use approximately 35 to 60
percent of the electricity generated for the wastewater
facility with the remaining energy provided to the main
power grid. This provides an estimated 50 percent of the
wastewater facility's needs.
Working with World Water & Power and Conti,
the ACUA is nearing completion on the second and final
phase of a 500 kilowatt photovoltaic solar project, also
at its wastewater treatment facility in Atlantic City. The
project consists of five arrays, two of which will be
ground mounted, two placed on the roof and the last array
serves as a canopy over an employee parking area. There
will be total of 2,800 photovoltaic panels and the
completed project will produce more than 660,000 kW-hours
of energy per year which will be used to power the
wastewater treatment facility.
Cost of the projects
Wind:
The wind farm project did not require any capital
investment on the part of the ACUA. ACUA agreed to lease
the land where the wind farm is located to Community
Energy, Inc., the wind farm developer. ACUA also signed a
20-year contract to purchase wind power at prices below
market rates. The ACUA is also receiving nominal rent for
the area the turbine pads sit on. The estimated cost of
the 7.5 MW wind farm is $12 million.
Community Energy has been awarded a $1.7
million grant from New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
that will be used to offset design and construction costs.
In addition, Community Energy has applied for a $1.92
million customer supply grant through Atlantic City
Electric. The remaining costs needed to complete the
project have been funded by Community Energy’s equity
investment partners.
Solar:
The solar project is owned by the ACUA, and the ACUA
received a $1.9 million Clean Energy Incentive Grant from
the NJ BPU. The remainder is being financed by a
low-interest loan from the New Jersey Infrastructure Trust
Program.
Results
The wind farm will save the ACUA an
estimated $323,683 in 2006 alone. The ACUA’s solar
installation will save an additional $36,802 per year.
With high energy prices, that are only expected to
increase, the ACUA’s savings could be more.
The two projects together have earned the
ACUA the title of being the nation’s largest hybrid
wastewater treatment facility. This distinction has many
positive attributes, most importantly reducing the use of
fossil fuels. Both wind and solar energy are renewable
sources of energy that do not pollute our environment. An
estimated 24,000 barrels of crude oil is saved each year,
with the implementation of these two projects. Reducing
the use of fossil fuels also helps reduce dependence on
foreign fuel suppliers. It helps stabilize the ACUA’s
electricity rate. It also provides security should the
main power grid fail for whatever reason. |
Forward Thinking
Ocean County Utilities Authority
Implementation of Biosolids
Management Program
With over 50 million
gallons a day of sewage flowing into three regional
treatment plants resulting in over 30 dry tons of sludge
to process for the entire County of Ocean and several
Monmouth County municipalities, the Ocean County Utilities
Authority (OCUA) formed a study team in the mid- 80s to
guide and shape the future method for “sludge management”
in Ocean County. The Study Team recommended that OCUA move
ahead with a Reuse Program, and the Commissioners accepted
the plan to design and build a facility that would produce
a marketable fertilizer product.
After several attempts of
“failed technology”, OCUA tailored the design
specifications around a direct-drying system and began the
“partnering process,” eventually awarding a contract to
Andritz-Ruthner. Andritz-Ruthner’s contract included
installation and operation of a Direct-Drying System which
was imported from Europe. Andritz-Ruthner is in their
second five-year contract with OCUA.
Knowing very little about
the fertilizer industry, OCUA sought out and negotiated a
three-year contract with Whellabrator/Biogrow (presently
known as Synagro) to distribute 85% of OCUA’s product,
while the Authority took on the challenge to market the
remaining 15% of the product and build up the local
markets.
Although there was some
success the first year, OCUA did experience an initial
loss of $35,000. OCUA decided to not only educate the
staff about the organic and biosolid fertilizer called
OCEANGRO, but to educate the general public. OCUA staff
exhibited at and spoke at trade shows. The ability to
demonstrate how biosolids could be substituted for topsoil
in the construction of fairways on a new golf course lead
to 15 new course construction jobs and numerous athletic
fields and golf driving ranges. OCUA is also working with
other wastewater agencies requiring assistance in this
field. Additionally, OCUA has successfully attracted
Baggers/Blenders in the New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and
Connecticut areas.
Over the last two years,
OCUA conducted a trial to add OCEANGRO to leaf compost
with the goal of attempting to speed up the process, to
gain additional capacity in the composting yard while also
creating and improved product. Ocean County can now
process twice as much leaf compost as before and they can
sell the composed material.
At OCUA, OCEANGRO is not a
project or program, “It’s a Way of Life.” The positive
attitude and pride show in many forms. On any given day at
OCUA, you could meet one of its employees wearing a shirt
with the “OCEANGRO” logo which he or she proudly displays.
It could be a staff member reaching out to help another
agency which is implementing a similar project or getting
involved with another demonstration project utilizing
OCEANGRO. Other activities have and still include working
with NJDEP and other governmental agencies to assess how
some future regulations could be crafted. After having a
“failed technology” ten years ago, today OCUA can be proud
of having one of the best Biosolids Reuse Programs in New
Jersey and in the United States.
The budget associated with
Dewatering, Drying, Distribution (and revenues) for the
Fertilizer Manufacturing Division is approximately
$3,900,000 per year. The budget is part of OCUA’s overall
budget, all of which is funded through User Fees. A
portion of the biosolids budget includes approximately
$170,000 in revenues (for sale of OCUA’s product, which is
marketed under the name OCEANGRO).
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