Improving Wastewater Plant Resilience Through Smart Energy Management
As rising energy costs continue to challenge municipal utilities, wastewater operators are looking for smarter ways to improve efficiency, resilience, and long-term cost predictability. In this QuickChat, Bob Crossen, VP of content strategy for the energy and water group at EndeavorB2B, speaks with George Bivens, North America sales director for energy services at Caterpillar Electric Power, about the growing importance of wastewater energy management and operational flexibility in today’s evolving energy landscape.
Bivens explains how utilities are increasingly adopting solutions like onsite power generation such as gas generators and battery energy storage for wastewater facilities, distributed energy resource management systems (DERMS), and demand response and microgrid controls for utilities to better manage rising costs and grid volatility. He also highlights how energy-as-a-service for utilities can help wastewater plants reduce upfront capital burdens while improving resilience, reliability, and operational simplicity.
From peak demand reduction to long-term infrastructure planning, this QuickChat video offers valuable insights for utility leaders navigating today’s increasingly complex energy environment. Watch the full video to learn how wastewater systems can future-proof operations, improve resilience, and turn energy management into a strategic advantage.
For more information on how Caterpillar can help wastewater treatment plants with their energy needs, visit Cat® AMP Asset Management | Cat | Caterpillar.
Timestamps:
- Intro | 0:06
- How do you see today’s energy landscape evolving? Are rising energy costs a broad trend, or are they concentrated in specific regions or market segments? | 0:37
- What are wastewater customers asking you for most right now, and to what extent is cost pressure driving those conversations? | 2:22
- Can you share examples of how you’ve helped customers reduce or better manage energy costs while maintaining reliability? | 4:01
- What enables wastewater plants to gain the operational flexibility needed to participate in energy market programs? | 5:36
- How can facilities participate in peaking and demand response programs without a major burden on resources, for example, large upfront capital spend or significant staff time? | 6:49
- How is the Energy-as-a-Service model being adopted in the wastewater sector, and where do you see it creating the most value? | 8:40
This content is sponsored by:
About the Author
Bob Crossen
Bob Crossen is the vice president of content strategy for the Water and Energy Groups of Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B. EB2B publishes WaterWorld, Wastewater Digest and Stormwater Solutions in its water portfolio and publishes Oil & Gas Journal, Offshore Magazine, T&D World, EnergyTech and Microgrid Knowledge in its energy portfolio. Crossen graduated from Illinois State University in Dec. 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in German and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. He worked for Campbell Publications, a weekly newspaper company in rural Illinois outside St. Louis for four years as a reporter and regional editor. Crossen can be reached at [email protected].