This one-day energy management workshop for small drinking water systems in North Carolina offered participants information about opportunities to reduce operational costs for energy during a time of rising electricity costs and tightening government budgets. Participants heard presentations from a variety of expert energy speakers, who focused on topics such as how to identify and prioritize potential projects, understanding your electric bill, how to get an energy audit, case studies, how to calculate project payback, locating funding opportunities, and measurement, verification and implementation. Speakers included representatives of the N.C. State Energy Office, the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Program, Waste Reduction Partners, Duke Energy, Cavanaugh & Associates, and the UNC Environmental Finance Center.

While system operators are welcome, this training is best suited for individuals who make financial decisions on behalf of small systems–board members, local government managers and finance staff, and system managers.

Resources:

• NYSERDA's Water and Wastewater Energy Management Best Practices Handbook (pdf)
• NYSERDA's Small Water Treatment Plant Checklist (pdf)
• Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Green Project Reserve - Business Cases for Example Projects from 2009
• Duke Energy - Energy Savings Master Plan program
• Duke Energy Foundation - funding applications for communities and nonprofits available here
• Duke Energy Progress - North Carolina Rates & Tariffs (pre-merger Progress Energy territory)
• Energy Star Portfolio Manager for Water and Wastewater Utilities
• Energy Star Portfolio Manager Quick Reference Guide (pdf)
• Motor Master® - free software from US Department of Energy
• Reading Centrifugal Pump Curves (pdf)
• Reducing Electric Power Costs in Small Water Systems - Journal AWWA article