Overview
This project has developed and integrated an innovative power control system that reduces the price of recycled water and simultaneously increase its availability at Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority (VVWRA). This has been accomplished by incorporating controllers and batteries to the sites electrical infrastructure to maximize the on-site generation of renewable energy, reduce the demand on non-renewable energy sources and thereby reducing VVWRA water treatment facility’s energy costs.
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The VVWRA has 12.5 million gallon-per-day wastewater treatment capacity
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VVWRA generates biogas from organic waste and uses two 480v, 1000 kVa biogas generators connected to the SCE network to generate and meet its electric energy needs
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Under non-export agreement Option 2 imported power by VVWRA from utility (SCE) should not drop below 5% of generator capacity (80 kW) for more than 2 seconds at a time
Problem Statement
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Due to plant loaf fluctuation SCE imported power occasionally drops below 80kW for more than 2 seconds.
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Both generators are immediately disconnected from the distribution system.
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UV treatment system is shut-down - leading to wasting treated water.
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Demand for power from SCE increases significantly - leading to high demand and charges on electric bill.
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Generators may remain down for hours until they can be reset and powered-up leading to waste of bio-gas fuel and high energy charges on the electric bill.
Solutions
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Implement fast response batter/controller system that monitors SCE import and employ batteries to maintain SCE import above 80 kW
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System consists of:
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Tow 100kW /500kWh flow batteries
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two 100lVA inverters
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UCR controller (c-RIO)
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Power meter (SEL-Axion)
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Data server (existing plant SCADA)
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