Case Study Snapshot
The coastal wastewater treatment plant required a reliable, long-term standby power solution engineered for extreme Gulf Coast conditions. Total Energy Solutions (TES) was brought in through a trusted referral to design and deliver a corrosion-resistant, hurricane-ready generator that would ensure operational continuity and meet state reliability requirements.
Project Scope
The wastewater facility, located within half a mile of the Gulf Coast and just off the Intracoastal Waterway, had historically relied on an elevated generator system. Following a generator failure, the district recognized the need for a more reliable and permanent standby power solution. Given the harsh coastal environment, including exposure to salt air, high humidity, and potential storm surge, the district required a more robust and resilient long-term solution.
A partner of TES referred the district for a full system upgrade to improve durability, reliability, and compliance with current standards.
Competing suppliers quoted 16–18 weeks for a new generator. The district required a faster turnaround, and a long-term solution engineered specifically for the Gulf Coast’s extreme conditions. The system needed to be corrosion-resistant, storm-hardened, and capable of maintaining compliance while ensuring uninterrupted service during severe weather events.
Integrated Solution
TES specified and supplied a custom-engineered 100 kW Gillette natural gas generator designed for the plant’s environmental and reliability requirements. The solution incorporated:
- Sealed bottom and belly pan to prevent saltwater intrusion and capture potential leaks
- All-aluminum enclosure and skid to resist rust and corrosion
- Special-coated alternator rim for extended coastal durability
- Hurricane-rated design to withstand high-velocity winds and wave exposure
The package provided a leak-free, rustproof and fully compliant standby power system that eliminated the municipal utility district’s dependence on temporary portable generators that could not withstand storm conditions.
Implementation and Timeline
Once the district approved the quote, TES immediately ordered the custom unit and coordinated installation logistics with its electrical and plumbing teams.
- Week 1: Quote approval and order placement
- Week 6: Six-week generator delivery turnaround through TES’ strong relationship with Gillette Generators
- Week 6: Crane set and final electrical and gas tie-ins completed within six hours
The project required only a one-day site presence. No issues or delays occurred, and the new system was operational immediately following commissioning.
Outcomes
The coastal wastewater facility regained full permanent power capability, restoring compliance and ensuring uninterrupted operations through future hurricane seasons.
Results:
√ Rapid six-week sourcing vs. standard 16–18 weeks
√ Permanent, corrosion-resistant solution protecting against wave wash and salt exposure
√ Full compliance with power requirements for a 0.4 Million Gallons per Day (MGD) treatment plant
√ Ongoing maintenance agreement and service partnership established post-project
This project demonstrates how strategic relationships, engineering flexibility and speed to delivery enable coastal utilities to achieve compliance, resilience and long-term reliability. The same engineered approach is ideal for other mission-critical coastal applications beyond water treatment plants, including radio towers, telecommunication sites, U.S. Coast Guard installations, stormwater pump stations, port and harbor operations, emergency response centers and shelters, navigation beacons, coastal monitoring stations and maritime logistics facilities, where corrosion resistance, rapid deployment and storm-ready reliability are essential for uninterrupted performance.
Total Energy Solutions delivers certainty where it matters most: for capital-intensive, safety-critical, and schedule-driven facilities across municipal, chemical, refinery, LNG, data center and infrastructure sectors where downtime isn’t an option. Learn more about Total Energy Solutions’ integrated solutions for the world’s most demanding operations at TotalEnergySolutions.com
