SEWER-21

SEWER-21:  Strategic Enhancements

for Wastewater Energy Recapture

Strategies to Move Wastewater Treatment Facilities Toward Net-Zero Operations

Reduce Energy Consumption & Demonstrate the Viability of Alternative Energy Strategies

Municipal wastewater treatment is one of the most energy-intensive activities undertaken by local governments. It is often the highest energy-consuming process in any town aside from manufacturing. With growing concerns over energy consumption and its environmental impacts, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) aims to fund municipal projects that significantly reduce energy usage and showcase alternative energy management strategies' feasibility.

Transitioning wastewater treatment facilities toward net-zero operations requires a multifaceted approach that combines energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy integration, advanced treatment technologies, energy recovery systems, and smart water management. With support from STEN, the DOE and a commitment to innovative strategies, municipal governments can significantly reduce their energy consumption, lower their carbon footprints, and demonstrate the viability of sustainable wastewater management practices.

Image Courtesy of PWTech

Sewer Thermal Extraction

Energy Recovery Systems

Energy recovery systems capture and reuse energy that would otherwise be lost in the treatment process.

Energy Efficiency Improvements

One of the most straightforward ways to reduce energy consumption is by upgrading equipment with high-efficiency models. Enhancing the energy efficiency of existing systems can result in substantial energy savings.

  • Equipment Upgrades:
        - Improve efficiency of dryer technology with more efficient fluid-to-fluid heat exchange technology.
        - Reduce volume of biosolids with a dewaterer and heated dryer to increase transportation efficiency.
  • Process Optimization: Implementing advanced process control systems can optimize the operation of treatment processes, reducing energy use without compromising performance.

Advanced Treatment Technologies

Implementing advanced treatment technologies can improve the energy efficiency and sustainability of wastewater treatment processes:

  • Nutrient Recovery:  Technologies that recover nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater can reduce the energy required for conventional nutrient removal processes and produce valuable by-products. Re-sell nutrient rich biosolids for farm and agriculture needs.
  • Low Temperature Sludge Drying:  By drying biosolids with a low temperature dryer like the PWTech Plate Belt Dryer.

Renewable Energy Integration

Integrating renewable energy source options into wastewater treatment operations can significantly reduce reliance on fossil fuels. 

  • Biogas Utilization:  Anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge produces biogas, which can be captured and used to generate electricity or heat. Re-selling the methane that exceeds facility requirements can further offset cost of operation and reduce the facility's carbon footprint.
  • Solar Power and/or Wind Power:  Installing solar panels on facility grounds or rooftops can provide a substantial portion of the energy required for operations. In areas with suitable wind conditions, wind turbines can be an effective way to generate renewable energy on-site.

An Invitation to Connect

Do you want to do more to help the world utilize clean energy, but don't know where to begin?  We are here to help you get started.  Don't wait another moment - the time is now.  Take the leap and unlock the potential.

We invite you to send a message to begin a conversation that will give you the answers you need.

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