Fort Wayne completes innovative microgrid to power water systems
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City Utilities in Fort Wayne recently completed a floating solar array as part of the plants’ microgrid that draws from multiple energy sources. (Photo provided City Utilities)
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City Utilities in Fort Wayne recently completed a floating solar array as part of the plants’ microgrid that draws from multiple energy sources. (Photo provided City Utilities)
A new energy grid powering Fort Wayne’s water utilities highlights complex new technology that puts the city on the cutting edge of energy usage.
Earlier this month, Fort Wayne officials flipped the switch on what it calls its new “microgrid” system. The system draws on a newly-completed floating solar panel array, biogas and traditional natural gas to power the Three Rivers Filtration Plant, the Water Pollution Control Plant and the Wet-Weather Pump Station.
The array sits on a lagoon near the water filtration plant, and it’s innovative in and of itself as the second largest floating solar array in the U.S. But solar energy is one of the three energy sources the utility company can use as part of the new microgrid, which connects the facilities electrically and distributes power efficiently as the facilities’ usage peaks at different times.
Microgrids have one or more local power sources and are often connected to a national grid, but can operate independently. In essence, the new microgrid allows Fort Wayne utility plant operators to switch between different energy sources depending on which is most cost-effective in real time.
The end result, according to City Utilities Deputy Director Matthew Wirtz, is that the plants have a reliable supply of power in case of an emergency, will save tens of millions of dollars in energy costs and are more environmentally sustainable.
“We have extremely high reliability now. If need be, if something happened to our power provider, we could operate on our own for long, extended periods of time,” Wirtz said.
How the microgrid works
The three plants run by City Utilities’ all sit on the north side of Fort Wayne and are connected to the microgrid—which can run the plants with three different power sources.
First is natural gas, provided by a traditional power company. Second is methane biogas, which Wirtz said comes from industrial plants as far away as Cincinnati who pay the utility to take their waste product and turn it into fuel.
The third component is the floating array of solar panels which only recently came online. The biogas and solar panels can power around 40% of the plants’ energy and City Utilities staff say will reduce green house gas emissions by 4,600 tons annually.
Wirtz said the system automatically assesses in real time which source of power is most efficient and uses it, though plant operators monitor the inputs and can change sources if needed.
The total cost of the project totaled a little over $24 million, of which $10 million went towards the solar panels. Given the utility’s projections that the price of natural gas will continue to go up, the microgrid system could save the city from paying $8-$10 million in energy costs over its first 20 years of use.
Wirtz said City Utilities wasn’t set on the concept of an integrated microgrid until it contracted with energy company Solential to help build the project. Solential’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing Mark Falahee said the floating solar concept is rare in the U.S., but more common in Asia and Europe where land prices are high and waterways are available.
“This is going to be the evolution, or future, of energy in America,” Falahee said. “You’re, in a sense, becoming more decentralized in your energy grid. You’re employed assets are located closer to the areas that they serve which actually brings up the efficiency.”
He added the solar panels can generate up to 15% more power since they can be placed closer together and get more natural cooling from the water.
Accelerate Indiana Municipalities (AIM) has already awarded the Fort Wayne microgrid as Indiana’s Green Project of the Year.
