S17 E11: Smells Like Money Podcast: Microgrids: The Resiliency Engine Behind Modern WWTPs

Key Discussion Points:

Defining the Microgrid

Jim defines a microgrid as a complex system that allows a site to connect to the traditional electrical grid while maintaining three internal layers:

• On-site energy resources: Generation capabilities located directly at the facility.
• The Load: The specific electrical needs of the plant.
• Electrical infrastructure: The system that ties the resources and load together.

The Concept of Islanding

A hallmark of a microgrid is the ability to “island”. This is the safe and seamless process of disconnecting from the main grid during a failure and transitioning to on-site power sources like batteries, fuel cells, or gas turbines.

• Critical Load: Most microgrids are designed to support “critical load” for at least 4 to 8 hours to ensure essential plant operations continue.
• Self-Sufficiency: In extreme cases or remote locations, plants can operate on an “island” indefinitely to remain self-sufficient during natural disasters.

Why WWTPs are Ideal for Microgrids

Wastewater plants are unique because they often have limited redundancy; if the primary infrastructure fails, there is often no alternative. Because they are mission critical and cannot simply tell users to stop producing waste, having an independent power solution is vital.

Building Blocks of Resiliency

Jim outlines several components that can be integrated into a unified microgrid:

• CHP (Combined Heat and Power): Also known as cogeneration, this process uses gas (often methane generated on-site) to produce both electricity and heat.
• Energy Storage & Peak Shaving: Using batteries to store cheap electricity from the grid or on-site renewables. This stored power can be used during “peak” hours to save money on high utility rates.
• On-Site Renewables: Tying existing solar farms or wind power into a battery system to maximize resource use.

Financing: Microgrid as a Service (MaaS)

The industry has evolved to offer “Energy as a Service” models. Instead of a massive upfront capital expenditure (CAPEX), plants can pay for the electricity they use from a microgrid built by a third party, often at a lower levelized cost than traditional grid power.

Connect with Jim Dodenhoff:

Founder: Silent Running

Email: james.dodenhoff@gmail.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimdodenhoff/

Website: silentrunning.biz

Conclusion

In this episode, Suzan Chin-Taylor and Jim Dodenhoff emphasize that microgrids have moved beyond being a trendy concept to becoming a functional necessity for modern wastewater treatment plants. By integrating on-site energy resources, storage, and the ability to “island” during grid failures, these plants can protect their mission critical operations and maintain public health standards without interruption. Furthermore, the shift toward “Energy as a Service” models allows utilities to implement these advanced resiliency engines without the burden of massive upfront capital investments.

Until next time—keep growing, and keep it flowing. 💧

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