At a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, the City of Santa Rosa unveiled its Fuel from Aquatic Biomass (FAB) project.

Winzler & Kelly provided engineering design for this innovative three-step process that treats wastewater, generates electricity and results in compost suitable for agricultural use. FAB, which was pioneered by the City in partnership with Sonoma State University, harvests algae from a constructed wetland that treats wastewater to generate methane which then generates electricity. The remaining residual biomass is used for compost in nearby agricultural operations. This demonstration project won the 2008 ICLEI Climate Innovation Invitational and has been recognized by the 2008 Interstate Renewable Energy Council Innovation Award, the 2009 Pearson Education Sustainability Award and the 2009 Association of California Water Agencies Theodore Roosevelt Award.

“FAB illustrates what is best about the kinds of work we do,” says Marc Solomon, a Vice President with Winzler & Kelly. “It is a highly innovative application of engineering principles that have been around for a long time. We’ve worked on wetland treatment systems, power co-generation systems, and biosolids composting systems but this project puts three types of engineering expertise together in a holistic manner and produces some great benefits. It is exciting to be part of the City’s team and even more exciting to think about the potential of helping other agencies implement similar innovations.”

Winzler & Kelly is a multidisciplinary engineering and environmental consulting firm with offices throughout California, Oregon and Micronesia. An Engineering News Record Top 500 Firm, Winzler & Kelly emphasizes sustainable design, value engineered solutions and innovation. Winzler & Kelly’s role in the FAB project is part of the firm’s work on the larger Santa Rosa Power Master Plan, a comprehensive effort to develop a sustainable energy system for the Laguna Water Reclamation Plant.

Contact:
Marc Solomon, Vice President, Winzler & Kelly
marcsolomon@w-and-k.com
Phone: 707.523.1010

Focus: Municipal, Other, Water

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