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Sustainability Times
a day ago
- Business
- Sustainability Times
'Slashed by 30%': This U.S. Wastewater Plant Just Installed a 240-kW Solar Canopy That's Changing Everything
IN A NUTSHELL 🌞 The City of Pendleton, Oregon, has installed a solar canopy at its Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery Facility to boost energy efficiency. at its Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery Facility to boost energy efficiency. 💡 The solar canopy is expected to generate approximately 325,000 kWh of electricity annually, reducing energy costs by about 30% . of electricity annually, reducing energy costs by about . 🌿 By shading the chlorine contact chamber, the canopy improves water quality and supports a healthier aquatic ecosystem. and supports a healthier aquatic ecosystem. 🏗️ The project, delivered through an Energy Savings Performance Contract, involves state grants and aims for future integration with a battery energy storage system. The City of Pendleton, Oregon, has taken a significant leap towards energy sustainability with the installation of a pioneering solar canopy at its Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery Facility (WWTRRF). This innovative project not only represents a milestone in the city's energy initiatives but also promises to enhance the performance of the facility. By generating approximately 325,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually, the canopy is set to reduce energy costs significantly while contributing to environmental conservation efforts. This endeavor, led by Ameresco, marks a notable advancement in the region's commitment to sustainable infrastructure. Solar Canopy Helps Reduce Energy Costs The solar canopy project in Pendleton is a testament to the city's dedication to developing efficient energy solutions. As highlighted by Kyle Willman, Superintendent of the Wastewater Treatment Resource Recovery Facility, the installation of the solar canopy is a major step forward. It not only aids in reducing energy costs but also minimizes the environmental footprint of the facility. By providing on-site energy production, the canopy helps in cutting down the operational expenses substantially. Moreover, the canopy offers additional benefits beyond just energy savings. By shading the chlorine contact chamber, it plays a crucial role in improving water quality and reducing effluent temperatures. These improvements contribute to a healthier aquatic ecosystem, benefiting the entire community. The partnership with Ameresco and the support from state and local authorities have been instrumental in realizing this forward-thinking investment, demonstrating the power of collaborative efforts in achieving sustainability goals. 'Eco-Friendly Solar Cell Shocks the World': Record-Breaking 16.65% Efficiency Ignites Global Race Toward Clean Energy Domination Innovative Energy Solutions This solar canopy is part of a broader infrastructure improvement initiative undertaken by the City of Pendleton. Delivered through an Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) with Ameresco, the project guarantees both price and performance, ensuring the participation of disadvantaged and local businesses. Lou Maltezos, President of Central & Western USA and Canada Regions at Ameresco, expressed pride in collaborating with the city to build a resilient future. Such innovative energy solutions not only bring significant economic benefits but also support essential city infrastructure. By offsetting about 30% of the WWTRRF's total energy consumption, the project exemplifies how strategic energy initiatives can enhance operational efficiency. Additionally, the project's funding through state grants, utility incentives, and city resources underscores the importance of leveraging various financial avenues to drive sustainable development. Future plans for a battery energy storage system (BESS) promise to further decrease operational costs, highlighting the city's commitment to long-term energy resilience. World's Largest Solar Telescope Unleashes 5.6-Ton Tech Beast to Capture Unprecedented Images of Massive Sunspot Activity Contributions to Environmental and Economic Goals The impact of the solar canopy extends beyond immediate energy savings. By reducing effluent temperatures and improving water quality, the project supports a healthier aquatic ecosystem. Such environmental benefits are crucial in maintaining biodiversity and ensuring the sustainability of natural resources. The reduction in energy consumption directly contributes to Pendleton's broader efforts to achieve net-zero emissions, aligning with global energy transition goals. Economically, the project has been a boon for the local community. It has facilitated job creation and supported local businesses, driving economic growth. The participation of disadvantaged and local enterprises in the project underscores a commitment to inclusivity and community empowerment. By setting a precedent for future projects, the solar canopy initiative serves as a model for other cities aiming to enhance their energy resilience and environmental stewardship. World's Most Powerful Flexible Solar Cell: Japan's Stunning Breakthrough Reaches 26.5% Efficiency, Setting Unprecedented Global Performance Standard Future Prospects for Sustainable Infrastructure The success of the solar canopy project in Pendleton sets the stage for future advancements in sustainable infrastructure. The planned integration of a battery energy storage system (BESS) will complement the solar canopy, further reducing operational costs and improving energy reliability. Such initiatives are crucial in preparing urban infrastructures to withstand future energy demands and environmental challenges. As cities across the globe grapple with the realities of climate change and energy scarcity, innovations like the solar canopy in Pendleton offer a glimpse into a more sustainable future. The collaboration between public entities, private companies, and local communities is essential in driving these changes. With the ongoing support for renewable energy projects, how will other cities follow in Pendleton's footsteps to build a resilient and sustainable future? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.5/5 (20)
CTV News
26-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Invasive fish captured in N.S. is first of such species found in Atlantic Canada
Fisheries and Oceans Canada says an invasive type of fish called a pond loach, seen in this handout image, has been found in Nova Scotia, marking the first such finding in Atlantic Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Fisheries and Oceans Canada NEW GERMANY — Fisheries and Oceans Canada says an invasive type of fish called a pond loach has been found in Nova Scotia, marking the first such finding in Atlantic Canada. A single, egg-bearing, female Oriental Weatherfish, or pond loach, was found in Morgans Falls, near New Germany, N.S., the federal department said in an emailed statement Monday. Fisheries and Oceans Canada said the fish species is native to eastern Asia, and that the one captured on April 29 was likely introduced to Nova Scotia after being released from an aquarium. Invasive species, such as the pond loach, are a problem because of the disruption they can cause to habitats and ecosystems. Pond loach can reproduce quickly, and once the fish is established in a new habitat, it may compete with native species for food, or prey on them directly. Releasing any aquatic species into a body of water where it is not native, unless authorized by federal, provincial or territorial law, is illegal under the federal Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations. 'To help prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species, do not let loose any aquatic species into a new body of water, down the drain, or into the sewers,' reads the statement from Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). The pond loach is brown or dark green with dark scattered speckles and a light-coloured underside. It has a long, cylindrical, eel-like body, that can measure between 10 and 25 centimetres in length. The fish also has between six and eight barbels, or whiskers, around its mouth. The fish prefer slow-moving, muddy or silty habitats, but the can survive in a range of environmental conditions. The pond loach has also been reported in southern British Columbia, the federal department said, but is not known to occur anywhere else in Canada. The DFO said it has not received any other reports of this species in Nova Scotia, and there are no loach species that are native to the province. If anyone suspects they have seen a pond loach, the DFO is asking them to report it, with pictures, if possible, to its aquatic invasive species division. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 26, 2025. The Canadian Press
