| Project Detail |
This project will work within the sanitation system in three communities to reduce energy costs, improve safety, and increase sustainability of crucial public infrastructure through deep energy retrofits.
The primary objectives of this project are to:
Reduce energy costs in the sanitation systems in the communities of Noorvik, Kotlik, and Alakanuk by an estimated $201,771 annually. Vacuum sewer systems are the most expensive community sanitation systems in Alaska to operate. Reducing these costs will improve sustainability of this crucial public health infrastructure and offer opportunities to reduce the extremely high water and sewer service fees charged to impoverished communities.
Reduce energy consumption in the sanitation system in the communities of Noorvik, Kotlik, and Alakanuk by approximately 48.1% annually. Beyond the price point, the high energy needs are potentially damaging to the communities for several reasons, including increased need for diesel fuel storage infrastructure and increased challenges with balancing electrical distribution demands in the community.
Reduce fire danger significantly by eliminating rotary vane style vacuum sewer pumps in exchange for oil-less vacuum pumps that both consume less energy and have a reduced chance of catching fire. Fires from vacuum pumps in Kotlik and similar communities have put millions of dollars of infrastructure at risk.
Improve local training and technical capacity through on-site training.
The most important and crucial improvements to the energy consumption of the facility will come with the installation of new vacuum pumping technology. This effort will take a holistic approach to reducing the energy use required to provide sewer service to the community. Other retrofits will include minor weatherization such as weather stripping, window repair, and reducing excessive air transfer. Light-emitting diode lighting on the interior and exterior of the facility, improvements to the fuel oil boiler heating system, and minor modifications in pumping rates and practices in the water treatment system will also be key components of retrofits in each system.
All of the recommended changes will come with a heavy emphasis on increasing local technical capacity and local installation of equipment. For energy efficiency measures to yield lasting results, changes to the operating parameters of the sanitation system must be accompanied by training and local understanding. |
