Fargo
Fargo

Always On: Powering Fargo’s Future

Overview

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Power Need

Recent rapid population growth in Fargo and surrounding communities increased demand in the City of Fargo’s Regional Water Reclamation Facility. To meet rising demand and maintain regulatory compliance, Fargo needed a larger, more resilient treatment system supported by reliable, cost-effective power capable of supporting continuous, high-load operation.

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Solution

To address these needs, the City of Fargo installed an on-site power plant with four Cat® G3512 gas generator sets. The system provides reliable backup power, supports island-mode operation during outages, and enables peak shaving to reduce energy costs during periods of high electrical demand.

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Results

The new centralized power system reduced operating costs, simplified maintenance, and strengthened energy resilience. Identical Cat G3512 generator sets allow faster service and easier parts management, while Butler Machinery provides ongoing support to ensure continuous power during outages and peak demand periods.

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Reliable power is critical when clean water is on the line. See how Fargo uses Cat generators to maintain uptime and manage energy costs.

Summary

To support rapid regional growth, the City of Fargo modernized its Regional Water Reclamation Facility and installed a centralized on-site power plant with four Cat G3512 gas generator sets. The system delivers reliable backup power, enables peak shaving to reduce energy costs, and simplifies operations through centralized generation and maintenance. With support from Butler Machinery, the facility now has the energy resilience to meet growing demand while maintaining high water quality standards.

Cat G3512 generator
Cat G3512 generator

Key Statistics

How does centralized on-site power support Fargo’s water reclamation facility? 

50 million
Gallons/day peak wastewater
treatment capacity

3.5 MW
Continuous power
required at full expansion

4
Cat G3512 gas generator sets
providing on-site power

Actual results may vary based on conditions and other factors.

The Impact

With centralized on-site power, the City of Fargo’s water reclamation facility maintains continuous operations, reduces energy costs, and delivers reliable wastewater treatment for a growing region.

City of Fargo Regional Water Reclamation Facility
City of Fargo Regional Water Reclamation Facility

Quote

“We need to have continuous power, and these Cat generations will come up in three seconds, and that’s basically what we need to keep things running smoothly.”

Jeffrey Hoff
Control System Manager
City of Fargo Water Reclamation Facility

City of Fargo Regional Water Reclamation Facility
City of Fargo Regional Water Reclamation Facility

What generator sets are used at this reclamation facility?

  • Gas Standby Rating
    750 ekW @ 0.8pf
    750 ekW @ 0.8pf
    Fuel Type
    Natural Gas, Hydrogen Blend (up to 5%)
    Natural Gas, Hydrogen Blend (up to 5%)
    Emissions/Fuel Strategy
    U.S. EPA Certified for Non-Emergency Stationary Genset
    U.S. EPA Certified for Non-Emergency Stationary Genset

    G3512 with FAST RESPONSE

    Caterpillar is leading the power generation marketplace with Fast Response generator sets engineered to deliver unmatched performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.

    Learn More

Resources to Help You Succeed

FAQs

Cat gas gensets help facilities manage grid instability, rising energy costs and uptime risk. With modular configurations supporting both standby and continuous prime operation, they provide dependable on-site power that scales with operational demand.

Engineered for continuous-duty performance, Cat gas gensets optimize fuel utilization and durability. When deployed in combined heat and power (CHP) applications, systems can approach 90% overall efficiency by capturing and repurposing waste heat.

Where permitted, facilities can dispatch assets to offset peak demand charges or participate in grid-support programs. This allows extended run capabilities to help reduce operating costs and create additional financial value.

Units are engineered to support multi-fuel blends, including hydrogen-ready configurations in select applications. This helps facilities remain compliant, adaptable and operationally resilient as fuel standards and regulations evolve.

Wastewater Treatment Facilities

Clean water isn’t just a convenience – it’s a necessity for life. From homes and businesses to industries and agriculture, wastewater treatment plants play a crucial role in ensuring access to safe, clean water.

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Wastewater Treatment Facilities
Wastewater Treatment Facilities

Electric Power products

Any size or shape. In any regulatory environment. When you need power, Caterpillar is equal to the challenge. Our generators are used in a variety of applications.

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