Milwaukee to win efficiency award at Philadelphia conference

The Philadelphia, Pa., skyline

Tulsa, OK -- The energy-efficient practices of a sewerage district in Wisconsin have earned it the Innovative Energy Management Award, to be given at the Energy Efficiency Forum in a few weeks.

The 3rd Annual Energy Efficiency Forum Aug. 27-29 will review the latest research on conserving energy from a water or wastewater utility's perspective. In an age of increasing competition and privatization, energy conservation is an important way for utilities to cut costs and be more competitive in the water market. With technical sessions on electric industry deregulation, project finance, energy efficiency in Pennsylvania and optimization for energy conservation, the three-day conference is narrowly targeted to help water and wastewater professionals choose and maintain equipment for maximum energy efficiency.

Milwaukee's South Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant is part of United Water's award-winning energy efficiency strategy.

Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, under the contract operation of United Water, will receive the Innovative Energy Management Award for saving nearly millions of dollars per year in energy costs, according to James Laughlin, EEF conference chairman.

"United Water reduced the department's energy costs by nearly $2 million per year through the installation of energy efficient systems, use of on-site generation of power using digester gas, and an innovative program that refined the way the utility purchased its natural gas and electric power, Laughlin said.

"Its active management strategy for energy purchasing and marketing made it stand out from other entries."

Laughlin will present the trophy to Milwaukee during the opening session Aug. 28, and the project will be featured in the September issue of WaterWorld Magazine. For more information about MMSD, visit the web site at http://www.mmsd.com/about/about.html.

Sunday, August 27

The Department of Energy (http://www.oit.doe.gov/bestpractices/) will offer its Motor Challenge workshop in two sessions on August 27. Participants in this four-part workshop will learn what makes a motor efficient, how to repair and replace less-efficient components, how to match adjustable speed drives to motors, and how to enhance pumping efficiency with the drive.

After the workshop, attendees can take a tour of Philadelphia's Southwest Water Pollution Control Plant, which was built in the 1950s and has undergone extensive upgrades over the years. The tour will focus on improvements and changes in the plant's operation that have reduced energy consumption. Visitors will have a chance to examine the plant's variable frequency drives and state-of-the-art control systems.

Monday, August 28

American forefather Benjamin Franklin will deliver the keynote address at the opening session. Franklin, played by impersonator Ralph Archbold, will discuss the virtues of change. More than 200 years after his death, Franklin's words are requested at conferences and events all over the country, including The Today Show and Good Morning America.

WaterWorld will present the Innovative Energy Management Award after the keynote, followed by a discussion on the future of energy.

Technical sessions August 28 include electric industry deregulation, project finance, energy efficiency in Pennsylvania and optimization for energy conservation.

The Liberty Bell Reception later that day is part of the basic conference package. The event, sponsored by Powerware Solutions (http://www.powerwaresolutions.com/), is a chance for speakers, exhibitors and attendees to make connections and exchange information on energy efficiency.

Tuesday, August 29

The final day of the conference is filled with technical sessions from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Attendees will discuss such topics as pumping system efficiency, energy management, motors, drives and pumps, aeration upgrades, on-site generation and energy optimization.

Accommodations

The Crowne Plaza Center City Hotel, hosting the conference, is a three-star hotel in the heart of downtown Philadelphia. The hotel has 445 guest rooms, a fitness center, outdoor pool and sundeck. The rooms have cable TV, coffeemakers, irons and ironing boards, hair dryers and workstations with fax and data ports.

Things to do in Philadelphia

A complete travel and tourism guide to Philadelphia is available at http://www.123philadelphia.com. For a general calendar of events happening in August, visit libertynet.org's site at http://www.libertynet.com/rol/calendar/calendarNOW.asp?d=8/01/2000&days=31&cat=.

Valley Forge National Historical Park (http://www.valleyforge.org/)

The Philadelphia Folk Festival Aug. 25-27 (http://www.folkfest.org/)

Third Annual Garden Railway Display in the Morris Arboretum (http://www.greenspacefun.org/).

The Rodin Museum (http://www.123philadelphia.com/rodinmuseum.htm).

More information: Complete details about the upcoming conference are at http://ww.pennnet.com/home/events.cfm. For more information, call conference coordinator Marvetta McNeel at +1-918-831-9500 or e-mail her at [email protected].