08 Editorial 13
EDITORIAL
letter
Water & Wastes Digest 3030 W. Salt Creek Lane, Suite 201 Arlington Heights, IL 60005-5025 847.298.6622 • F: 847.390.0408 www.wwdmag.com
Solar Rush
EDITORIAL STAFF
Editorial Director
Neda Simeonova
Managing Editor
Elizabeth Lisican
Associate Editor
Kate Cline
Associate Editor
Mary Beth Nevulis
Assistant Editor
Amy McIntosh
Assistant Editor
Williette Nyanue
Designer
Adv ertising & Sales
“Here comes the sun, and I say It’s all right ...” —The Beatles
T
he dawn of the renewable energy revolution is here. In addition to wind turbine and solar panel installations, green power is being produced from various other renewable resources, such as geothermal and biomass energy, and low-impact hydroelectricity. With rising costs and growing environmental concerns surrounding conventional energy sources, the shift to alternative energy comes as no surprise. Today, renewable power generation accounts for approximately 50% of all new power Neda Simeonova, editorial director generation capacity installed worldwide, according to the [email protected] International Renewable Energy Agency. Water utilities are painfully familiar with the high cost of energy. It takes a tremendous amount of energy to pump, treat and deliver water, often rendering energy use the single biggest portion of an agency’s operating budget. The good news is that, if managed appropriately, energy can be the largest controllable cost of a utility’s budget. As a result, utilities increasingly are considering the use of various alternative energy options to reduce dependence on traditional energy sources. Wind turbines are being erected all over the country to power water agency operations. Wastewater utilities are realizing that they can take advantage of onsite energy generation by utilizing biogas from their anaerobic digesters in a combined heat and power system as “free” fuel to generate reliable electricity for their processes. But solar power, perhaps, has drawn the most interest from municipal water agencies, which are compelled by the prospect of finding new revenue sources and minimizing their carbon footprint. This solar rush is fueled by various factors. Besides the initial investment in the equipment, sunlight is free. While still relatively expensive, photovoltaic technology for solar energy is evolving at a fast pace, production is increasing, costs are dropping and return on investment time is shrinking. Furthermore, solar energy is green. Utilities interested in reducing their carbon footprint and implementing long-term sustainable operational practices are turning to solar because it is practically emission free. Last but not least is the convenience of solar power in remote locations. Regardless of the location, as long as there is sun, there is an opportunity to generate electricity. Of course, like other alternative energy markets, the solar market is highly dependent on and driven by local, state and federal incentives. A number of water utilities have been able to get cash incentives, grants and rebates for installing solar energy equipment, making the purchase of this equipment much more affordable. Solar power purchase agreements also play a role by allowing the utilities to receive stable and sometimes lower-cost electricity, while the solar services provider or another party acquires valuable financial benefits, such as tax credits and income generated from the sale of electricity to the utility. Whatever the means, it appears that water agencies are embracing the power of the sun to reduce their reliance on the electric grid, with hopes of one day going off the grid completely.
Robin Hicks
6900 E. Camelback, Suite 400 • Scottsdale, AZ 85251 tel: 480.941.0510 • fax: 480.423.1443 Integrated Media Consultant
David Rairigh [email protected] (phone x25)
Integrated Media Consultant
Fred Ferris [email protected], 773.314.6250
Integrated Media Consultant John Rogier [email protected] (Arlington Heights office, 847.391.1053) Integrated Media Consultant
Celeste Scarfi-Tellez [email protected], 831.703.4345
Classified Sales Manager
Donna Aly [email protected] (phone x13)
Reprint Coordinator Adrienne Miller [email protected] (Arlington Heights office, 847.391.1036) List Rental Contact Geffrey Gardner [email protected] 845.201.5331 Advertising Coordinator Erica Rivera [email protected] (Arlington Heights office, 847.391.1049)
M a nagement Vice President/Group Publisher
Dennis Martyka
Associate Publisher
VP Custom Publishing
VP Events
Harry Urban
VP Information Technology
Joel Hughes
Director of Audience Development
Doug Riemer
Director of Creative Services & Promotions
Chairperson
K.S. Gillette
President/CEO
E.S. Gillette
Sr. Vice President
Sr. Vice President, CFO
Chairman Emeritus
Greg Tres Diane Vojcanin
Sandi Stevenson
Corporate A. O’Neill Dave Shreiner H.S. Gillette (1922-2003)
Editorial Adv isory Board
Dr. YuJung Chang
Paul Rice
HDR Engineering Inc. Siemens Water Technologies
Dawn C. Kristof Champney WWEMA
Tom Mills
Severn Trent Services
Dr. Larry W. Moore
University of Memphis
Andy Richardson
Greeley & Hansen LLC
Chuck Reading
REACO Associates LLC
Statement of Purpose Water & Wastes Digest is published exclusively for the 80,000+ decision makers in the municipal and industrial water, wastewater and water pollution industries. These individuals actively design, specify, buy, operate and maintain the equipment, chemicals and services used for water treatment. Editorial content in this audited publication highlights new products and technologies concerning the supply, collection, treatment and distribution of drinking water; the collection, treatment and disposal of wastewater; and hazardous waste pollution control. A product directory is included in the annual June Buyer’s Guide.
Scranton Gillette Communications’ Infrastructure Team
COMING UP NEXT MONTH... • Facility Management • Pipe Maintenance • Membrane Technology • Monitoring Technology 8
• Nutrient Removal • SCADA • AWWA ACE13 Show Section • Plant Profile
Industrial Water & Wastes Digest
April 2013 • Water & Wastes Digest
letter
Water & Wastes Digest 3030 W. Salt Creek Lane, Suite 201 Arlington Heights, IL 60005-5025 847.298.6622 • F: 847.390.0408 www.wwdmag.com
Solar Rush
EDITORIAL STAFF
Editorial Director
Neda Simeonova
Managing Editor
Elizabeth Lisican
Associate Editor
Kate Cline
Associate Editor
Mary Beth Nevulis
Assistant Editor
Amy McIntosh
Assistant Editor
Williette Nyanue
Designer
Adv ertising & Sales
“Here comes the sun, and I say It’s all right ...” —The Beatles
T
he dawn of the renewable energy revolution is here. In addition to wind turbine and solar panel installations, green power is being produced from various other renewable resources, such as geothermal and biomass energy, and low-impact hydroelectricity. With rising costs and growing environmental concerns surrounding conventional energy sources, the shift to alternative energy comes as no surprise. Today, renewable power generation accounts for approximately 50% of all new power Neda Simeonova, editorial director generation capacity installed worldwide, according to the [email protected] International Renewable Energy Agency. Water utilities are painfully familiar with the high cost of energy. It takes a tremendous amount of energy to pump, treat and deliver water, often rendering energy use the single biggest portion of an agency’s operating budget. The good news is that, if managed appropriately, energy can be the largest controllable cost of a utility’s budget. As a result, utilities increasingly are considering the use of various alternative energy options to reduce dependence on traditional energy sources. Wind turbines are being erected all over the country to power water agency operations. Wastewater utilities are realizing that they can take advantage of onsite energy generation by utilizing biogas from their anaerobic digesters in a combined heat and power system as “free” fuel to generate reliable electricity for their processes. But solar power, perhaps, has drawn the most interest from municipal water agencies, which are compelled by the prospect of finding new revenue sources and minimizing their carbon footprint. This solar rush is fueled by various factors. Besides the initial investment in the equipment, sunlight is free. While still relatively expensive, photovoltaic technology for solar energy is evolving at a fast pace, production is increasing, costs are dropping and return on investment time is shrinking. Furthermore, solar energy is green. Utilities interested in reducing their carbon footprint and implementing long-term sustainable operational practices are turning to solar because it is practically emission free. Last but not least is the convenience of solar power in remote locations. Regardless of the location, as long as there is sun, there is an opportunity to generate electricity. Of course, like other alternative energy markets, the solar market is highly dependent on and driven by local, state and federal incentives. A number of water utilities have been able to get cash incentives, grants and rebates for installing solar energy equipment, making the purchase of this equipment much more affordable. Solar power purchase agreements also play a role by allowing the utilities to receive stable and sometimes lower-cost electricity, while the solar services provider or another party acquires valuable financial benefits, such as tax credits and income generated from the sale of electricity to the utility. Whatever the means, it appears that water agencies are embracing the power of the sun to reduce their reliance on the electric grid, with hopes of one day going off the grid completely.
Robin Hicks
6900 E. Camelback, Suite 400 • Scottsdale, AZ 85251 tel: 480.941.0510 • fax: 480.423.1443 Integrated Media Consultant
David Rairigh [email protected] (phone x25)
Integrated Media Consultant
Fred Ferris [email protected], 773.314.6250
Integrated Media Consultant John Rogier [email protected] (Arlington Heights office, 847.391.1053) Integrated Media Consultant
Celeste Scarfi-Tellez [email protected], 831.703.4345
Classified Sales Manager
Donna Aly [email protected] (phone x13)
Reprint Coordinator Adrienne Miller [email protected] (Arlington Heights office, 847.391.1036) List Rental Contact Geffrey Gardner [email protected] 845.201.5331 Advertising Coordinator Erica Rivera [email protected] (Arlington Heights office, 847.391.1049)
M a nagement Vice President/Group Publisher
Dennis Martyka
Associate Publisher
VP Custom Publishing
VP Events
Harry Urban
VP Information Technology
Joel Hughes
Director of Audience Development
Doug Riemer
Director of Creative Services & Promotions
Chairperson
K.S. Gillette
President/CEO
E.S. Gillette
Sr. Vice President
Sr. Vice President, CFO
Chairman Emeritus
Greg Tres Diane Vojcanin
Sandi Stevenson
Corporate A. O’Neill Dave Shreiner H.S. Gillette (1922-2003)
Editorial Adv isory Board
Dr. YuJung Chang
Paul Rice
HDR Engineering Inc. Siemens Water Technologies
Dawn C. Kristof Champney WWEMA
Tom Mills
Severn Trent Services
Dr. Larry W. Moore
University of Memphis
Andy Richardson
Greeley & Hansen LLC
Chuck Reading
REACO Associates LLC
Statement of Purpose Water & Wastes Digest is published exclusively for the 80,000+ decision makers in the municipal and industrial water, wastewater and water pollution industries. These individuals actively design, specify, buy, operate and maintain the equipment, chemicals and services used for water treatment. Editorial content in this audited publication highlights new products and technologies concerning the supply, collection, treatment and distribution of drinking water; the collection, treatment and disposal of wastewater; and hazardous waste pollution control. A product directory is included in the annual June Buyer’s Guide.
Scranton Gillette Communications’ Infrastructure Team
COMING UP NEXT MONTH... • Facility Management • Pipe Maintenance • Membrane Technology • Monitoring Technology 8
• Nutrient Removal • SCADA • AWWA ACE13 Show Section • Plant Profile
Industrial Water & Wastes Digest
April 2013 • Water & Wastes Digest
