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City to pursue variable-frequency drives at Piney pumping station; utility incentive reduces city share
Summary
Public works staff recommended installing variable-frequency drives (VFDs) on Piney pumping-station motors to reduce energy consumption and operating costs; the project cost was estimated at about $45,000 per pump with Potomac Edison offering an energy incentive of roughly $13,000 per pump.
Public works staff asked the Frostburg City Mayor and City Council to approve pursuing installation of variable-frequency drives on Piney pumping-station motors to reduce energy use and operating costs.
Staff said running the pumps at reduced capacity with VFDs can substantially cut energy use because pump power consumption is non-linear with speed. For the smallest pump (described as 150 horsepower), staff estimated total project cost at about $45,000; Potomac Edison reportedly offered an energy-incentive payment of roughly $13,000, leaving an estimated city out-of-pocket cost of about $32,000 per pump. Staff estimated a payback period of about one to one-and-a-half years for the energy savings on the first pump.
Staff recommended installing a VFD on one pump this year and adding VFDs on remaining pumps in subsequent years to cycle equipment and spread costs. They said the VFD units can ramp motor speed up or down automatically and can be scaled to run at higher capacity if system demand requires it.
Council members indicated support for moving forward; staff said they would solicit formal incentive documentation from Potomac Edison, obtain bids from electrical contractors (SNS Electric was mentioned as a potential contractor) and return with formal agreements and procurement documents.
