Technology Innovation
2020-21 Finalists
These projects represent innovative products or processes that use technology to encourage sustainable outcomes and demonstrate an economic benefit to positively address environmental issues.
The winners will be announced at the 40th Annual Environmental Excellence Awards gala presented by SRP on March 19, 2022.
East Line Solar
The East Line Solar project, a 100MW solar installation located at Intel Corporation’s Chandler Ocotillo Campus, was supplied and installed by Array Technologies in 2020. East Line Solar resulted in local collaboration, provided power during the pandemic, allows for further innovation by Intel, and further established Array Technologies as an authority in the utility-scale solar space. This project helps Intel to reach their 100 percent renewable energy use by 2030. Array Technologies
Florence Copper Production Test Facility
The Florence Copper Production Test Facility, a small-scale Production Test Facility, successfully demonstrated that copper ore can be safely extracted from below ground using the in-situ copper recovery (ISCR) mining process. ISCR allows for copper extraction without excessive land disturbance and waste piles that result from traditional mining practices. The Production Test Facility’s 18-month long project proves ISCR as a viable environmental model for copper extraction that meets the highest regulatory standards. Florence Copper
Innovative Water Conservation and Sustainability Partnership
The Innovative Water Conservation and Sustainability Partnership focuses on cost-effective, innovative technology to sustain agriculture and save water. The Partnership uses N-Drip technology – low pressure, gravity-powered micro-irrigation coupled with real-time soil moisture management – applied to Colorado River Indian Tribes farms. N-Drip fields averaged 50% lower water deliveries with the same or slightly higher crop yields as traditional flood irrigated fields, protecting soil health without additional water delivery infrastructure or pumping. Central Arizona Project, Colorado River Indian Tribes
North Gateway Materials Recovery Facility Retrofit
In 2017, China tightened their standards for recyclable commodities, resulting in a lower volume of all commodities recovered and increased costs for U.S. Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs). The North Gateway MRF Retrofit, a $4.5 million project completed by the city of Phoenix, turned a 13-year-old MRF into an advanced facility, able to provide high quality recyclables and meet changing market demands. City of Phoenix
Pinal Valley Recharge and Recovery Facility (PVRRF)
The award-winning Pinal Valley Recharge and Recovery Facility (PVRRF), a groundwater storage facility located in an important and highly used groundwater basin in Pinal County, represents a grand partnership between multiple jurisdictions and private enterprise. PVRRF is the first facility of its kind in central Pinal County and acts as a bridge to the future, creating a path for stabilizing groundwater resources and creating new water supplies for future use. Arizona Water Company, Hunter Contracting Co., Carollo Engineers Inc.
ROBO Ride: City of Peoria Autonomous Vehicle Project
The city of Peoria rolled into history by demonstrating Arizona’s first shared-ride, autonomous shuttle to operate on a public street. The objective of the pilot program was to gain understanding about the feasibility of using autonomous vehicles for the first/last mile. The public’s interaction with an emerging technology and feedback helps lay a foundation for more options to build mobility solutions that reduce environmental impacts and promote healthy transit growth for the community. City of Peoria
ShareTheRide.com Relaunch
ShareTheRide.com, a transportation demand management platform for Commute Solutions/Valley Metro needed a major update. The new site helps organize and evaluate options, check traffic, calculates pollution saved, select transit routes, participate in challenges and rewards commuters in the process. As of June 2021, there has been an overall 44% increase in active users. Valley Metro
SolarAPP+: Automation to Accelerate Solar Adoption
On May 12, 2021, the City of Tucson and Pima County launched SolarAPP+, an online application to streamline residential solar permitting. The application supports more widespread adoption of residential solar and promotes locally generated clean energy, helping Tucson achieve the ambitious climate goals set by Mayor and Council. Expedited solar installations through SolarAPP+ reduce dependence on fossil fuels resulting in a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable environment. City of Tucson, Pima County Development Services
Tres Rios Wastewater Reclamation Facility Nutrient Recovery Project
The Tres Rios Wastewater Reclamation Facility (WRF) is the centralized biosolids processing facility for Pima County. The Nutrient Recovery Project at the Tres Rios WRF facilitated the capture of energy and nutrients in addition to cleaning wastewater. The project is the first installation of the NuReSys system in North America, making the Tres Rios WRF an industry leader in the management and sustainability of the water reclamation cycle and other renewable resources. Pima County, HDR Inc.
