Wastewater Effluent Thermal Energy Recovery and Distribution Study

Metro Water Recovery (Metro) is soliciting professional study services for a wastewater effluent thermal energy recovery and distribution study at the Robert W. Hite Treatment Facility (RWHTF) located in Denver, Colorado. The primary objective is to investigate potential solutions for recovering and distributing thermal energy from wastewater effluent, with specific goals of maximizing energy benefits and reducing thermal discharge into the South Platte River. The consulting engineer will be required to develop comprehensive deliverables including schematic layouts, sketches, conceptual design criteria, and a detailed report evaluating up to three alternatives for thermal energy capture and distribution. Key project requirements include analyzing demand and supply-side thermal energy, developing planning-level design documents, creating life cycle cost estimates, conducting financial modeling, and producing a thermal model to understand temperature reductions and distribution potential. The project has critical deadlines, including a mandatory virtual pre-proposal conference on May 5, 2025, with proposals due by May 22, 2025, and anticipated contract execution in September 2025. Successful respondents must demonstrate expertise across civil/environmental, mechanical, energy systems, and electrical/instrumentation domains, with the ability to potentially connect to Xcel Energy's downtown Denver district energy system and nearby developments.

The procurement appears open to qualified consulting engineering firms without specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises. Metro estimates a potential $82.4 million capital expenditure for cooling towers and aims to recover more than 200 megawatts of potentially recoverable thermal energy. The project will require integration with existing infrastructure at the RWHTF, including careful consideration of current wastewater treatment systems and potential connections to existing district energy networks. While no incumbent vendors are explicitly identified, the study builds upon previous thermal energy and district heating feasibility studies conducted by firms like Salas O'Brien and RMH Group. The compensation structure will be based on hourly rates with different billing classes, with reimbursement for expenses following specific guidelines. Potential respondents should note the comprehensive nature of the study, which goes beyond traditional engineering assessments to include strategic planning for thermal energy recovery and distribution in an urban infrastructure context.