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Successful strategies for increasing energy self-sufficiency at Grüneck wastewater treatment plant in Germany by food waste co-digestion and improved aeration

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  • Macintosh, C.
  • Astals, S.
  • Sembera, C.
  • Ertl, A.
  • Drewes, J.E.
  • Jensen, P.D.
  • Koch, K.

Abstract

Population growth, tightening effluent discharge requirements and increasing energy costs are driving the wastewater treatment sector to improve energy efficiency and strive towards energy self-sufficiency. Despite many strategies being proposed for improving energy self-sufficiency at wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), limited case studies have been conducted. This full-scale case study at Grüneck WWTP evaluates the effectiveness of two different strategies and quantifies their plant-wide impact. Grüneck WWTP increased energy self-sufficiency by 24% (from 64 to 88%) through reducing energy consumption with aeration upgrades (8% increase) and increasing energy production with food waste co-digestion (16% increase). The plant-wide analysis indicated that the aeration upgrades did not affect effluent quality; however co-digesting food waste at 20% additional organic load caused some minor downstream impacts including reduced dewaterability, fluctuating biogas quality and solids accumulation. A solar dryer was installed to manage the increased biosolids production resulting from co-digestion. The dryer reduced biosolids transportation costs by 30% with minimal increase in total plant energy (below 2%). Payback periods for the co-digestion facility and blower upgrade were 10 and 17 months, respectively. The solar dryer, however, has a payback period of 30 years. Findings from this case study provide practical knowledge of the trade-offs for different strategies commonly employed to improve energy self-sufficiency at WWTPs. The results provide evidence that there is significant incentive for similar plants to improve energy self-sufficiency through co-digestion and aeration upgrades.

Suggested Citation

  • Macintosh, C. & Astals, S. & Sembera, C. & Ertl, A. & Drewes, J.E. & Jensen, P.D. & Koch, K., 2019. "Successful strategies for increasing energy self-sufficiency at Grüneck wastewater treatment plant in Germany by food waste co-digestion and improved aeration," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 242(C), pages 797-808.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:242:y:2019:i:c:p:797-808
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.03.126
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    7. Julia Burmistrova & Marc Beutel & Erin Hestir & Rebecca Ryals & Pramod Pandey, 2022. "Anaerobic Co-Digestion to Enhance Waste Management Sustainability at Yosemite National Park," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-12, September.
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    10. Walczak, Justyna & Karolinczak, Beata & Zubrowska-Sudol, Monika, 2023. "Effect of co-digestion and hydrodynamic disintegration on the methane potential of sewage sludge and organic fraction of municipal solid waste with consideration of the carbon footprint," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
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    12. Vinardell, S. & Astals, S. & Peces, M. & Cardete, M.A. & Fernández, I. & Mata-Alvarez, J. & Dosta, J., 2020. "Advances in anaerobic membrane bioreactor technology for municipal wastewater treatment: A 2020 updated review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 130(C).
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