Water system operators increasingly strive to perform more sustainably and drive down energy costs. Here are some of the latest energy efficient generators, motors, pumps, blowers, drives and renewable energy systems that water utilities are using to help save energy while delivering a high-quality product.

Generators

  Industrial diesel liquid-cooled generator

Industrial Diesel Liquid Cooled (IDLC) generator sets from Baldor Electric are available in ratings from 300 to 2,000 kW and include heavy-duty diesel engines that meet the latest EPA emissions regulations. They have brushless synchronous alternators with dynamic balancing and four-pole construction for long life and low maintenance. An easy-to-use microprocessor-based controller allows for field programming. The units are production tested to ensure easy startup. They accept rated load in one step. 749/646-4711; www.baldor.com.

  Tier 2 diesel generator set

High-horsepower diesel generator sets from Cummins Power Generation meet EPA Tier 2 emissions regulations. They are designed for emergency response, steady-state performance, reliability and versatility for standby, prime and continuous power applications. Models operating at 60 Hz are rated from 1,250 to 2,250 kW. Models operating at 50 Hz are rated from 1,400 to 2,500 kVa. They accept full rated load in a single step as required by NFPA for Level 1 systems, and are available with a data center continuous rating for continuous use, complying with Uptime Institute standards. 877/769-7669; www.cumminspower.com.

  Energy-efficient generator

The 2,500 kW generator from Kohler Power Systems has a V-16 engine that offers high power density in a compact footprint. Its International Building Code (IBC) 2012 seismic certification makes it suitable for water treatment plants. The generator fully integrates with automatic transfer switches, custom paralleling switchgear and controls. 800/544-2444; www.kohlerpower.com.

  Commercial generator

The SGX 7500 Generator from Subaru Industrial Power Products offers a Subaru EX overhead cam engine. It is constructed of heavy-duty steel and equipped with steel fuel tanks. At 7.5 kW, it is the largest of three models available. It is CSA certified to meet electrical safety standards. 847/540-7300; www.subarupower.com.

High-Efficiency Motors/Pumps/Blowers

  Hybrid blower

The Delta Hybrid rotary lobe compressor from Aerzen USA combines rotary lobe blower and screw compressor technologies. It provides the reliability of positive displacement aeration with energy efficiency comparable to turbo technologies. The screw compressor, with internal compression, is efficient in high pressure ranges. 610/380-0244; www.aerzenusa.com.

  High-speed turbo blower

The High Speed Turbo Blower from APG-Neuros uses a bump foil air bearing that is oil free and noncontact, needing no lubricating or associated maintenance. Its permanent magnet synchronous motor transfers EMF to the load with no physical contact between stator and shaft, offering high-precision motor speed control. It can attain flow rates to 21,000 scfm and a design discharge pressure to 15 psig. Models range from 30 to 700 hp; dual-core models (400 to 700 hp) provide a wide flow range with a turndown rate of up to 80 percent. 866/592-9482; www.apg-neuros.com.

  Efficient aerator and mixer motor

Endura Series motors from Aqua-Aerobic Systems are high- and premium-efficiency options for Aqua-Jet surface aerators and Aqua DDM direct-drive mixers. They are available in a variety of horsepower ratings and operate under severe conditions. They require no greasing and only limited maintenance for five years. 800/940-5008; www.aqua-aerobic.com.

  Regenerative blower

Regenerative blowers from Atlantic Blowers are available in single- or double-stage configurations. The impeller is directly connected to the motor shaft, eliminating pulleys and belts. This minimizes moving parts, reducing maintenance and maximizing life. The units provide clean, dry, oil-free air at slightly above ambient temperature. Air volume ranges from 18 to 1,519 cfm, and air pressure from 22 to 313 inches H20. Motor ratings range from 0.16 to 50 hp. 214/233-0280; www.atlanticblowers.com.

  Aeration blower

Eurus Blower offers bi-lobe (MB) or tri-lobe (ZG) aeration blowers and packages for MBBRs, sludge tanks and equalization tanks. They are rated to 15 psig and offer airflows to 3,950 cfm. They have integral-shaft ductile iron impellers, dual splash lubrication, oversized roller bearings, piston ring air seals and viton lip seals. They have high-efficiency integrated intake filter/silencers with washable polyurethane filter media, combination bases and heavy-duty integrated discharge silencers and vibration dampers. 630/221-8282; www.eurusblower.com.

  High-speed centrifugal blower

The Hoffman Revolution high-speed centrifugal blower from Gardner Denver delivers up to 45 percent energy savings and high reliability with little maintenance. It is factory prewired and tested in an ergonomically designed sound enclosure for plug-and-play operation. Technology improvements allow a compact footprint. It has a 1-meter certified sound rating at below 80 dBA. Features include a single enclosure housing, high-speed blower/motor unit, direct-driven high-speed motor, self-contained cooling system, air filtration elements, high-efficiency impeller, magnetic smart bearings and blow-off valve assembly. 724/239-1500; www.hoffmanandlamson.com.

  High-efficiency regenerative blower

High-efficiency K Series regenerative blowers from FPZ are ideal for applications that require low power consumption. The high-efficiency impeller maximizes the blower airflow output at pressure (especially at pressures greater than 4.5 psig). Multiple horsepower options area available that allow the user to utilize the lowest installed power required to meet the system pressure requirements. Standard motors are suitable for use with variable-frequency drives, so the blower can operate at lower speeds to minimize power consumption. Their compact design and low noise levels allow them to be installed without large acoustical enclosures. They are capable of producing pressures to 12.5 psig and flows over 1,000 cfm, and are backed by a three-year warranty. 262/268-0180; www.fpz.com.

  Inverter duty vertical motor

The U.S. MOTORS line of inverter duty vertical motors from Nidec Motor Corporation include a bearing protection system with a shaft grounding-ring that reduces damage from voltage spikes. The system is available on 40 hp and above vertical HOLLOSHAFT motors. Vertical motors 100 hp and larger also include an insulated bearing to prevent circulating and other bearing currents. 888/637-7333; www.nidec-motor.com.

  Vacuum blower

RB-DV Hi-Vacuum blowers from Robuschi USA offer an airflow range from 400 to 6,200 cfm. Air injection manifolds allow operation at 28 inches Hg continuously without a vacuum relief valve. The lightweight manifolds and low-pulsation technology ensure low noise and less vibration. The fabricated and cast manifolds and foot assemblies can be custom made to suit PTO angle. Lifting hooks allow safe and easy assembly and removal.  877/424-1020; www.robuschiusa.com.

Renewable Energy Systems

  Biosolids thermal hydrolysis system

The EXELYS biosolids thermal hydrolysis system from Kruger USA is used in a DLD (digestion-lysis-digestion) configuration to optimize energy production and solids reduction. Material is fed to the first digester, which can operate in a mesophilic or thermophilic state, and the easily degradable solids are converted to biogas. The material is then dewatered and fed to the continuous thermal hydrolysis system. The heat is recovered for steam generation and heating of the first digester. The hydrolysed material is then digested in the second digester, a mesophilic unit where all solubilized solids in the system are converted to biogas. 919/677-8310; www.krugerusa.com.

  Disinfection energy generation

Integrated energy-generation systems from Pasteurization Technology Group combine water disinfection with the generation of renewable energy. They can use waste byproducts such as biogas or biomass or natural gas to power a turbine or engine that generates electricity. Exhaust passes through a heat-recovery unit that increases the temperature to disinfect the water. Intelligent software optimizes energy and water flow. The technology does not require toxic chemicals or electricity. It has passed California Title 22 disinfection standards. 510/357-0562; www.pastechgroup.com.

  Energy management software

StruxureWare for Water software from Schneider Electric includes an easily configurable dashboard that allows ad hoc reporting and analysis. Operators have several tools that aggregate energy and related data into a single platform for analysis of energy savings. The power monitoring functions deliver data as actionable information through a customizable, user-friendly interface accessible from computers and handheld devices on the network. The functionality can be scaled from small systems up to large municipal or industrial systems. 770/329-3878; www.schneider-electric-water.com.

  Solar-powered water monitor

At sites without utility power, a solar-powered water monitor from SunWize Technologies can help maintain operations to provide clean, continuous water supplies. Systems can operate integrated units of spread spectrum radios and dissolved oxygen (DO) analyzers. Analog signal outputs of DO analyzers are wired directly into RTU/radios. The remote radio units transmit the signals to a central ModBus gateway radio, which interfaces with a SCADA system to monitor and provide historical trends of the collected data. 800/817-6527; www.sunwize.com.

Variable-Speed Drives

  Eddy current drive

Eddy Current Drives from DSI Dynamatic include an EC-2000 Controller that enables digital or analog integration with digital process control systems, SCADA systems or PLCs. A flexible keypad enables simple and intuitive programming of control parameters and digital display of any two of several status parameters. The drives convert the constant-speed rotary energy of a standard motor to precisely controlled speed or torque without significant electrical conversion. No harmonic distortion or audible noise is created. The equipment operates in normal ambient conditions without auxiliary cooling or special power supply. 800/548-2169; www.dynamatic.com.

  Variable-frequency drive control panel

OLS Series control panels from Orenco Controls contain integrated variable-frequency drives, which can optimize system operation and reduce energy usage. They also prolong pump and system life by reducing hard starts and water hammer. Multiple drives can be configured through one user-friendly, easy-to-understand human-machine interface. Each panel and its enclosure can be designed and built specifically for application and set-up needs. Using a project’s unique parameters, engineers pre-program user interfaces to the site-specific needs of an installation, making the panel virtually plug and play. It offers circuit protection, heat dissipation systems (fan or A/C), phase and voltage protection, level controls and a variety of other customizable features. 877/257-8712; www.orencocontrols.com.

  Variable-speed pressure booster

The IntelliBoost variable-speed constant pressure booster system from Pentair/Aurora is tailored to freshwater applications. The system offers a combination of a variable-frequency drive for each pump and a programmable logic controller (PLC) with a proportional integral derivative (PID) loop to stage up to four pumps based on pressure and flow needs. 630/859-7000; www.aurorapump.com.

  Transfer switches

RTS Series transfer switches from Russelectric are UL labeled and listed for 30-cycle closing and withstand ratings based on testing per UL Standard 1008. They simplify selective coordination of overcurrent/short circuit devices in emergency and backup power systems. Capable of closing in on and withstanding 30 cycles of fault current, they have capacity to allow downstream devices to clear a fault before upstream devices. Consequently, they simplify the engineering task of selective coordination mandated by the National Electrical Code for emergency and legally required standby systems. They are available in single- and dual-operator versions in ratings from 100 to 4,000 amps for open- or closed-transition switching. 781/749-6000; www.russelectric.com.

  Drive unit

Drive units from WesTech Engineering are delivered as a single, completely assembled and shop-tested unit, ready to be installed on the thickener or clarifier center column. They offer flexibility of design that allows engineers to select a drive that closely matches the process and mechanical requirements. 801/265-1000; www.westech-inc.com.