Energy Self-Sufficiency Aiming for Sustainable Wastewater Systems: Are All Options Being Explored?

Abstract

In upcoming years, water demand is expected to boost worldwide, and with that, wastewater generation and the required energy for treatment. Provided that efficiency measures should be implemented at first instance, developments of renewable energy technologies are needed to improve sustainability at wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Based on theoretical analyses of literature data, this article presents a novel perspective of the role that hydropower could play in that energy framework. This research applied a new approach compared to previous studies, considering the introduction of sustainability aspects in the decision-making process, other than economic feasibility. With that aim, a broad search of real case studies was conducted, and suitable Key Performance Indicators based on the energy self-sufficiency concept were selected and applied to the identified cases. The findings suggest that there is not a rule of thumb to determine feasibility for hydropower installation and this technology might deserve more attention. This new perspective can help to raise awareness among policy makers, decision managers, or plant operators, of the possibilities hydropower could offer to the wastewater industry in the pathway towards more sustainable systems.

Hydropower Technology for Sustainable Energy Generation in Wastewater Systems: Learning from the Experience

“…One of the options to consider might be hydropower, where electricity can be generated from the mechanical energy provided by wastewater. In this way, some of the energy embedded in the wastewater, that otherwise would be wasted, could be harnessed [46]. However, as observed by some researchers [47][48][49] in the urban water industry there is a general lack of awareness and knowledge about this possibility.…”

“…Only recently have some authors started to suggest the introduction of additional driving factors, other than economic feasibility, in studies of hydropower potential, with a broader perspective based on the sustainability concept [6,61,70]. In their recent work Adeyeye et al [49] presented social viability aspects of hydropower application in urban water systems and Llácer-Iglesias et al [46] also proposed a complementary approach related to energy self-sufficiency, identifying other driving factors for hydropower implementation at WWTPs.…”

“…In 2017, Bousquet et al [63] carried out a similar study for Switzerland, which could be considered one of the leading countries, with South Korea, in the application of hydropower to WWTPs [46,79,80]. As a framework to develop their work, that study included an inventory of 17 existing cases studies worldwide.…”

Silicon Particles/Black Paint Coating for Performance Enhancement of Solar Absorbers

“…Therefore, the demand for drinkable water is increasing gradually every year due to population enlargement. Although 70% of the earth is covered with water, most of the accessible water cannot be utilized for drinking due to salinity and water contamination [1,2]. One of the potential alternatives to produce fresh water and decrease the cost of distillation plants is the utilization of solar energy directly.…”

Prioritization of Contracting Methods for Water and Wastewater Projects Using the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process Method

“…Wastewater treatment processes, such as effluent discharge and indirect emissions resulting from energy or chemical production, also negatively affect the environment [8]. The treatment of water and wastewater must become functional, appropriate, and sustainable [9,10]. Treatment of wastewater is an important part of the water cycle that allows sanitation and reuse of water, facilitates energy generation, and allows the recovery of waste products [11,12].…”