~~The City of Benton City is located 10 minutes west of the Tri-Cities, which is Washington’s fastest growing metro area. Apollo Solutions Group approached Benton City about utilizing the state of Washington’s Energy Program, administered through the Department of Enterprise Services. Apollo also informed Benton City that they would be eligible for an Energy Grant. The city informed Apollo that they any project undertaken would have to be completely self-funding, meaning that the energy and operational savings (in addition to the Department of Commerce’s Energy Grant) would have to cover the payment of a loan.
During the preliminary analysis stage, Apollo uncovered many energy saving opportunities. Apollo installed a Digested Oxygen sensor (which included trenching, wiring and conduit) as well as installing Variable Frequency Drives for the existing blower motors for their wastewater treatment ponds. The lighting systems at the Booster Station, Community Center, Dog Kennel, Library, Maintenance Shops, Public Restroom, Wastewater Treatment Plant and Well Pumps #1, #2, and #3 were great candidates for saving energy and were all retrofitted with LED replacement lamps.
Apollo and the City of Benton City were able to bundle these energy saving improvements together to create a self-funding Energy Services Performance Contracting Project. Apollo also applied for, and secured on the City’s behalf, an energy grant through the Department of Commerce.
