Wilmette Water Plant
Wilmette, Illinois
Intern: Stefan Ciobanu
University of Illinois, Chicago
The Wilmette Water Plant (WWP) is located in Wilmette, a suburb located north
of Chicago. The water plant was built in 1933 and has undergone major expansions
in 1956 and 1971. The WWP provides Lake Michigan water to nearly 100,000 residents
in the communities of Wilmette, Glenview, and Prospect Heights. The plant pumps
an average of 13 million gallons of water per day, with a peak of 31 million
gallons per day during summer.
The intern focused on strategies for reducing energy usage in the pumping
and lighting systems.
Results:
The major energy using components at the WWP are the pumps, which are used
to help draw, treat and provide water to customers. The intern determined that
the average energy consumption at the WWP is $33,000 per month. Of that total,
the high lift pumps and the low lift pumps consumed 83% of the total electrical
consumption. Variable frequency drives (VFD) have already been installed on
the two major low lift pumps. The intern identified two high lift pumps for
potential replacement with high efficiency motors and VFDs. Due to the long
payback period of approximately 6 years, the two high lift pumps will not be
replaced in the near future. Both pumps will be tested to establish the degree
of wear of the impeller, casing and the motor, refurbished as needed to maintain
their operating effectiveness.
The lighting system is being upgraded by replacing T12s and HIDs with T8s
and electronic ballasts. Occupancy sensors will also be added to low traffic
areas of the water plant. This process will be completed steadily over a period
of time.
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