Cummins Energy Solutions Business (ESB) is working with Columbus Water Works to develop a renewably fueled cogeneration plant at its site in Columbus, Georgia, US. This is the first large-scale plant of its type in the US.
Columbus Water Works, which provides water and wastewater treatment to the 230 000 Columbus residents, was looking for an innovative and bio-friendly means of providing power to its plant. During the wastewater process, gas is produced as a byproduct so the company sought to harness its potential into electrical and thermal energy using the cogeneration plant.
Cummins Power Generation has experience of natural gas engine design following involvement in a US Department of Energy programme called Advanced Reciprocating Engine Systems. This made Cummins ESB a suitable partner for the Columbus project. It supplied two 1.75 MW C1750 N6C lean-burn gas generator sets, which supply 3.5 MW. Equipped with a DMC 300 digital control system and remote monitoring and switchgear, both generator sets are dual-fuel models and have the ability to operate on either digester-produced gas or natural gas.
Cummins ESB has also supplied waste-heat recovery systems, supporting equipment and assistance with the design of the generator set room as well as the areas of rejected heat and utility mains switching. The utility mains switching system saved Columbus money because it negated the need to rebuild existing service entrance switchgear.
