S17 E12: Concept to Reality: How WWTPs Can Start Building Energy Resiliency with Jim Dodenhoff

In this final installment of our three part series on resiliency, host Suzan Chin-Taylor welcomes back Jim Dodenhoff, founder of Silent Running. This episode moves beyond the theoretical, providing actionable steps for wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to transition from concept to a reality of energy independence and operational stability. Key Discussion Points:- Clarity Before Construction: The path to resiliency begins with analysis rather than immediate construction. A formal feasibility study allows for modeling various scenarios to avoid relying on guesswork.- The Pain and Suffering Audit: Jim recommends that teams summarize the last significant outage in a brief report. Understanding the true cost and operational impact of past failures helps justify the investment in future resiliency. - Data is Already On-Site: Most plants already possess the data needed for a feasibility plan without needing outside help initially. Facilities should benchmark annual electricity and gas usage using 15 minute interval data to identify specific vulnerabilities. - Identify Critical Loads: WWTPs must distinguish between critical loads, such as essential pumping, and systems that can be triaged or run at partial capacity during an emergency.- Control Your Destiny: With energy affordability becoming a leading driver for decision-makers, plants are increasingly looking toward distributed generation and microgrids to stabilize costs and reduce dependence on the traditional grid.- Smart Collaboration: There is a growing opportunity for WWTPs to partner with high-energy consumers, like data centers, to share resources such as water for cooling or alternative energy generation.Mentioned Progressive Agencies:- Orange County Sanitation District: Recognized for being on top of energy needs and co-locating with drinking water facilities. - Victor Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant: Noted for its progressive approach and innovation. - City of Phoenix: Highlighted for the Palo Verde project, where treated effluent provides makeup water for a nuclear plant.Connect with Jim Dodenhoff:Founder: Silent Running Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jimdodenhoff/Website: silentrunning.bizI hope you find this episode as informative and as exciting as we have.Please let us know your thoughts about the episode!Connect with Suzan Chin-Taylor, host of The DooDoo Diva's Smells Like Money Podcast:Website: www.creativeraven.com | https://thetuitgroup.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/creativeraven/Email: [email protected] Telephone: +1 760-217-8010Listen and subscribe here to your favorite platform:Apple Podcast - Google Podcast - Cast Box - Overcast - Pocket Casts - YouTube - Spotifyhttps://creativeraven.com/smells-like-money-podcast/ Subscribe to the Podcast:https://creativeraven.com/smells-like-money-podcast/Be a guest on our show:https://calendly.com/thetuitgroup/be-a-podcast-guestCheck Out my NEW Digital Marketing E-Course & Coaching Program just for Wastewater Pros:https://store.thetuitgroup.com/diy-digital-marketing-playbook-for-wastewater-pros#Resiliency #WastewaterTreatment #EnergyEfficiency #SustainableInfrastructure #Microgrids #RenewableEnergy #UtilityManagement #WaterIndustry #Sustainability #CleanWater #EnvironmentalEngineering #EnergyResiliency