Energy Reduction in Wastewater Treatment Plants

Abstract

According to the Water and Environment Research Federation, wastewater and biosolids have ten times as much stored energy as that which is needed for treatment. For wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) that incorporate anaerobic digestion, one significant way of capturing this energy is through combined heat and power (CHP). One factor that has slowed the growth of CHP in the wastewater industry is lack of a strong baseline data of biogas generation in WWTPs and a lack of guidance for setting energy targets based on biogas production. In 2012, WERF and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority published a report based on a survey with more than 200 respondents, to determine the barriers WWTPs face in implementing CHP Systems and identify ways to overcome these barriers. In line with the recommendations from the survey study, which includes efforts to fill the information gaps that exist, this study attempts to compile, summarize and simplify data that quantifies CHP energy potentials and installations at WWTPs in the USA, in order to facilitate selecting achievable CHP energy goals and targets. The objectives of this study are: 1) Compile wastewater CHP data from available online databases and other available online sources in order to obtain a database that is complete and concise for analysis. 2) Verify the accuracy of data presented by EPA CHPP and compare methodology for obtaining CHP potential in WWTPs against actual values. 3) Develop a simplified reference for WWTPs to use for selecting energy targets for CHP systems.

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Author Information
Irene Okioga, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, United States
Yesim Sireli, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, United States
Tiffany Storms, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, United States

• Category: Energy: Renewable Energy and Environmental Solutions

Posted by James Alexander Gordon

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