At the March 29 Scottsdale City Council Meeting, APS presented the city with a check worth $137,926.80 for Scottsdale Water’s participation in the APS Peak Solutions energy savings program last summer. Since program inception in 2009, Scottsdale Water has received more than $1.3 million for its energy saving efforts.
In its 12th year of participation, Scottsdale Water voluntarily reduced power during peak energy times in order to help reduce the energy load to APS and its customers. To meet electricity load reductions, Scottsdale Water must rely on reserve water and alternative energy sources while minimizing building cooling systems – a feat challenged by the coinciding peak period for water customer demand.
The 2021 summer program required Scottsdale Water to participate in six separate events, each requiring different energy reduction needs. When the need for a reduction occurs, the Water Division has one hour to coordinate between workgroups to execute procedures and notify treatment operations. The responsiveness of the staff is key as employees must respond in person to confirm equipment is safely and effectively taken offline.
Water Reclamation Services Director David Walby said, “the staff is vital to making sure we are successful and each year they come through when called up. Their skills and diligence make this operation possible each summer.”
Scottsdale Water has not only produced the largest energy load reduction within the APS Peak Solutions for Business but has also been the largest municipal savings contributor within the program. This collaboration allows APS to stabilize its power distribution system in times of high demand and assist other power providers including SRP and California energy companies.
The funds from this mutually beneficial partnership with APS allow Scottsdale Water to provide further quality control measures and execute infrastructure system updates, ultimately leading to reduced costs for Scottsdale customers.
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Scottsdale Water – the city’s municipal water utility – has been providing quality drinking water and advanced reclamation services to Scottsdale businesses and residents for 50 years. An industry leader, the utility has been recognized with the prestigious Platinum Award for Utility Excellence by the Association of Municipal Water Agencies and the Utility of the Future Today from the EPA.
