American Water Works Co. Inc. announced that Fort Meade Army Installation, Md. was recently selected as the only Army installation to receive the Federal Energy and Water Management Award for making a significant contribution to energy and water efficiency within the federal government. American Water’s Military Services Group operates the water filtration plant at Fort Meade and participated in the project that was recognized.
The Directorate of Public Works was recognized for its participation in a regional grid manager's synchronous reserve program. Participation in the program required the installation to have the ability to cut inductive electricity demand by at least 100 kW within 10 minutes of a request from the grid operator and continue a demand-reduction event that could last up to 30 minutes. In addition, the installation must be able to report electricity demand in one-minute increments before, during and after the event in order to demonstrate and record the load reduction.
The project required Fort Meade, along with its partners American Water Military Services and Sain Eng., to work in cooperation with Viridity Energy of Philadelphia to respond to an electric grid's frequent fluctuations using Fort Meade's water filtration plant.
The project was the first water plant in the Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland (PJM) electric region to systematically cycle large water pumps on and off in response to the electric grid's frequency fluctuations.
“We are honored to receive such a prestigious award," said James Sheridan, president of American Water’s Military Service Group. "We are committed to providing our servicemen and women and their families with reliable, high-quality drinking water. Not only does this project provide benefits to our customers, it demonstrates our commitment to sustainability and the Department of Defense's energy management initiatives.”
Each year, the Department of Energy, in conjunction with the Federal Interagency Energy Policy Committee, sponsors the Federal Energy and Water Management Awards. The awards honor individuals and organizations making significant contributions to energy and water efficiency within the federal government.
The Military Services Group of American Water provides water and wastewater services to military installations across the country as part of the federal government’s Utility Privatization Program. It is part of American Water Enterprises, the market-based subsidiary of American Water.
Source: American Water
