Renewable Energy

Since 1985, the City of Boulder has been generating electricity from clean, renewable sources.  Boulder currently has a three-part renewable energy program that includes cogeneration, hydroelectricity and solar electricity.

Cogeneration

Cogeneration at the Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) produces an average of about 2.1 million kilowatt-hours (kwh) of electricity each year when methane, a natural byproduct of wastewater treatment during solids stabilization, is used to produce electricity. Waste heat is also recovered in the cogeneration process, known as a combined heat and power system. Learn more about cogeneration.

Hydroelectricity

Boulder's eight hydroelectric facilities convert the energy from falling water into more than 50 million kilowatt-hours of electricity each year. These hydroelectric systems make use of energy from water that is also used to meet the city's water needs, which would be wasted if it was not converted to electricity.  Nothing else is consumed or emitted in the process. Learn more about hydroelectricity.

Solar Electric and Solar Thermal Power

Nearly two megawatts of solar electric and solar thermal systems have been installed on City of Boulder facilities. These systems reduce peak energy demand in city buildings, heat pools at the recreational centers and charge electric vehicles. Currently, solar electric and/or solar thermal systems are helping power more than a dozen city facilities. Learn more about solar power.

Wastewater Treatment Facility Solar Electric System
Located next to the Wastewater Treatment Facility, a one megawatt solar electric system was brought online in July 2010 as an alternative power source to lessen the facility's reliance on grid electricity and to help mitigate rising energy costs. Learn more about the Wastewater Treatment Facility's solar electric system.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 27 February 2013 12:04