Case Study: Large Regional Water Treatment Plant achieves reliable water service and lower energy costs with Cummins standby power system

Keeping Taps Flowing And Lowering Costs With A 5.4 Mw Standby Power System

Large Regional Water Treatment Plant, a major municipality in west-central Michigan, needed a reliable way to keep water flowing to more than 200,000 residents during utility outages and peak-demand curtailments, while also reducing electricity costs. It turned to Cummins for a standby power solution, including generator sets and a utility paralleling system.

Cummins installed two 2.7 MW diesel generator sets for a total of 5.4 MW, along with a paralleling load transfer system that enables seamless switching between utility and self-generated power. The system protects service during outages, supports peak-shaving during summer demand periods, and saves the plant about 15% on electric bills—roughly $150,000 to $300,000 per year—while preventing interruptions to water service.