Wastewater Energy Efficiency Training Course
Course Concept and Overview
DEQ’s State Energy Office (SEO) and Division of Water Infrastructure (DWI) are partnering to offer a no-cost energy efficiency training course for NC wastewater operators in early 2025. The intended audience of this course is operators from distressed systems in rural parts of the state, however it is not a requirement.
The goals of the course are to introduce wastewater operators to basic concepts of energy management principles (i.e. energy bills, demand, rates, basic energy conservation measures or ECMs), followed by an in-depth focus on energy efficiency opportunities specific to wastewater treatment plants (i.e. aeration, motors/VFDs, process improvements) while maintaining operations and enhancing productivity. The course will emphasize both identification and implementation of ECMs unique to each participating system.
The training is ultimately designed to identify energy efficiency opportunities for each attendee’s system but is also intended to empower attendees with the knowledge needed to continually find and implement opportunities for improved energy efficiency at their systems long after the training has concluded.
The course materials and concepts are closely modeled from a similar program currently taking place in Minnesota:
- Minnesota averages ~500,000 kWh in energy savings identified per facility, which translates to approx. $60,000 in annual monetary savings;
- Approx 70% of EE opportunities identified could be achieved through operational changes requiring no or low capital investment.
Course Details
The course will be taught by industry experts in conjunction with our contracted training provider IEP (Institute of Energy Professionals). There will be a total of five (5) courses over the next approximately two (2) years, each located in a different part of the state to allow for geographic variability. Each course will be six (6) consecutive weeks in length, with each week consisting of one day of instruction. The course will be held at a host wastewater treatment plant facility (specific locations TBD) and will ideally be attended by a total of five different systems, with 3-5 attendees per system. Continuing education hours will be provided, and refreshments and lunch will also be provided.
- Is there a cost to attend this training?
- No, this course is provided at no cost for all attendees.
- When will more details come out about the course (dates, locations, etc)?
- We are currently and actively working with our training provider IEP to determine specific dates and locations for each of the five (5) courses over the next two (2) years. As these dates and locations are confirmed, we will update this website with those details, as well as notify prospective attendees who have completed the interest form that can be found here.
- Who should attend this course?
- Managers and/or operators of wastewater treatment plants, particularly from systems designated as distressed, who are interested in learning more about how energy efficiency can save their system money through low and even no-cost adjustments.
- Will continuing education hours be provided?
- Yes, initially estimated at 24 hours of continuing education credits. More information and specifics are forthcoming.
- Is lunch included?
- Yes, and light break refreshments!
- What if I don’t have 3-5 attendees from my system that would be able to attend?
- That is OK, we will work with your system to participate even if you cannot send 3-5 attendees.
- Do I have to attend all six (6) weeks? What if I miss a day?
- Your in-person presence for all six (6) weeks of the course is requested. Our training contractor IEP will record (audio and video) one of the full courses for students who have missed a class and need to make it up. The recordings will be maintained by IEP and provided to attendees on an as-needed basis. They are not intended to be used in-lieu of in-person instruction.
- I am interested in learning more. Where do I go for more information?
- Keep an eye on this website for further updates, and also sign-up via the Interest Form found here.