6B 1 - Technical and Financial Feasibility of a Large-Scale Wastewater Thermal Energy Recovery System for the Decarbonization of Downtown Denver

Presentation Description: Metro Water Recovery, in partnership with Ramboll and FVB Energy, launched the Wastewater Energy Recovery & Distribution Study to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of large-scale wastewater thermal energy recovery from the Robert W. Hite Treatment Facility, a 220-mgd regional plant. The study assesses how this resource could support the transition of Downtown Denver’s legacy steam system and nearby redevelopments to modern, low-carbon thermal networks.

Case Study: The study evaluates the feasibility of large-scale effluent wastewater heat recovery with initial characterization of plant flows and temperatures to develop hourly thermal supply profiles. It establishes hourly and seasonal heating and cooling demand profiles for existing and future thermal networks to inform near- and long-term system sizing. The analysis includes large-scale heat pump integration, central plant siting options, and an assessment of operating temperature ranges for optimization of the thermal distribution network. Matching supply loads with the new development implementation schedules and demands provides phasing strategies and conceptual system configurations to support scalable, low-carbon thermal energy delivery.