Technology Category
- Functional Applications - Enterprise Asset Management Systems (EAM)
- Sensors - Utility Meters
Applicable Industries
- Cities & Municipalities
- Renewable Energy
Applicable Functions
- Facility Management
- Product Research & Development
Use Cases
- Construction Management
- Smart City Operations
About The Customer
The City of Missoula, located in the northern Rocky Mountains of Montana, is a thriving city with a population of 75,000. It is home to the University of Montana and serves as a trade center with a diverse economy based on healthcare, technology, education, and recreation. Known for its spectacular natural beauty and rich historical importance, the city also boasts a vibrant cultural, arts, and entertainment scene. The city has a strong commitment to sustainability and has implemented a number of initiatives and projects to support citywide decarbonization, with a goal to reach carbon neutrality by 2025.
The Challenge
The City of Missoula, Montana, was faced with the challenge of reducing its carbon footprint and moving towards its goal of carbon neutrality by 2025, as outlined in its Conservation and Climate Action Plan (CCAP) adopted in 2013. A significant part of the city's energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions was attributed to its wastewater treatment plant. The city needed a solution that would not only reduce its energy consumption and emissions but also align with its sustainability goals. The city was also looking for a solution that required zero upfront capital funding.
The Solution
The City of Missoula partnered with Ameresco, Inc., a leading cleantech integrator specializing in energy efficiency and renewable energy, to design, build, own, operate, and maintain a 948-panel ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) array at the city's wastewater treatment plant. This project, which is the largest behind-the-meter, non-export solar PV array in Montana, was completed under a 25-year solar energy agreement with no upfront capital funding required from the city. The solar PV array is expected to produce more than 700,000 kWh each year, offsetting the wastewater treatment facility's annual electricity consumption by over 20%. This project not only reduces the city's energy consumption and emissions but also moves it closer to its goal of carbon neutrality.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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