The Winnipesaukee River Basin Program (WRBP) and Eversource has announced the completion of phase one of a project to improve energy efficiency at the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) wastewater treatment facility in Franklin.
The recently completed first phase of the project includes upgrades to equipment such as aeration blowers, return-activated sludge pumps, generator block heater controls, lighting fixtures, and lighting controls. This portion of the project will provide estimated savings of 308,085 kWh representing approximately $46,000 in savings on electricity costs per year.
When the second phase of this energy retrofit project is also completed, the upgrades will lead to a 27 percent reduction in electric use at the facility, which serves portions of ten Lakes Region communities.
“We’re thrilled to support a project that improves the energy efficiency and environmentally responsible operations of a facility so integral to the lives of our customers in New Hampshire,” said Tilak Subrahmanian, Eversource vice president of energy efficiency and electric mobility. “With our strong shared commitment to sustainability, we look forward to continued efforts to deliver the benefits of this energy efficiency partnership — including lower electric use and reduced energy costs — for years to come.”
Tentatively planned for 2023-2024, phase two of the upgrades will lead to estimated savings of an additional 223,693 kWh and $34,000 per year. In total, both phases of the energy retrofit project will save 531,778 kWh and almost $80,000 annually when complete. These reductions in electricity usage are the estimated equivalent of removing 3.5 million pounds of CO2 over the lifetime of the project and represent a cumulative 27 percent reduction in the entire facility’s electrical use.
“Eversource and the Department of Environmental Services have provided key support for this project, and we look forward to continuing the relationship into Phase Two and beyond,” added Sharon McMillin, Environmental Program Administrator at the Winnipesaukee River Basin Program. “Energy efficiency is a constant goal, and, at the Winnipesaukee River Basin Program, we will continue to look for every opportunity to improve our efficiency and support our ratepayers.”
The longstanding relationship between Eversource and the Winnipesaukee River Basin Program includes previous upgrades previously completed at the facility in 2010 and 2013. The partnership has had a lasting positive impact on local water quality, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and reduced electricity consumption. For the current project, NHDES funded the audit that pointed to these improvements and offered low-interest rates, while Eversource provided incentives through the NHSaves programs that supported the completion of the project.
