Metro Water Services Energy Management Program

Overview

Nashville Metro Water Services hired Wilmot to implement a comprehensive Energy Management Program that builds upon a decade of strategic energy-saving initiatives across its facilities. This innovative program delivers:

  • Over $3 million in annual savings for Nashville ratepayers

  • More than 4 MW of installed solar array capacity generating clean, renewable power

  • Continued optimization of efficiency investments, including the 2007 fine bubble aeration system at Dry Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant

  • Facility-wide improvements through energy-efficient lighting and HVAC system upgrades

This initiative represents a model approach to municipal utility management by reducing operational costs while simultaneously advancing sustainability goals and delivering financial benefits to the community.

Wilmot’s Role

Wilmot provided analysis and implementation support that maximized both immediate and long-term financial returns. Our data-driven approach included:

  • Evaluated 14 distinct energy production and conservation alternatives using triple bottom line methodology

  • Reviewed advanced technologies including combined heat and power systems, food waste digestion processes, biogas utilization, and solar installations

  • Developed energy dashboards that enable real-time monitoring and optimization

  • Established performance baselines that identified no-cost operational changes yielding immediate energy savings

  • Created streamlined RFP and vendor selection processes that accelerated solar array deployment across multiple facilities

Wilmot helped transform MWS's energy infrastructure into a system that delivers ongoing financial savings while advancing Nashville's sustainability objectives.

Results

MWS currently realizes over $3M in annual energy savings as a result of the energy management program and expect an additional $6M of savings from planned arrays. This represents over 20% reduction in annual energy usage.

Some of these planned projects include:

  • Solar installations at multiple facilities

  • A combined heat and power engine to generate electricity using biogas at Dry Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant

  • An energy efficient fine bubble aeration system at Whites Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant

  • Multiple improvements at Central Biosolids Facility to improve capture and use of biogas to power plant processes

Client

Metro Water Services

Location

Nashville, TN

Markets

Municipal

Water/Wastewater

Services

Energy Management

Staff Augmentation

Lifecycle Assessments

Triple Bottom Line Analysis

Feasibility Study and Site Selection

Financial Modeling

Owner’s Representative

RFP Writing