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A review of low head hydropower at wastewater treatment works and development of an evaluation framework for South Africa

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  • Bekker, A.
  • Van Dijk, M.
  • Niebuhr, C.M.

Abstract

Wastewater treatment facilities are often overlooked as a valuable and sustainable energy source with limited literature available on the methodologies used for identifying energy recovery potential at these locations. The lack of research on methodologies to identify potential for energy recovery with limited available data is especially prevalent. This paper aims to address this gap in research by reviewing previous studies that have evaluated the hydropower potential, with a focus specifically on the evaluation of hydropower potential at wastewater treatment works and the technologies most suitable for these sites. Additionally a new methodology was proposed for the assessment of South African wastewater treatment works with the aim of quantifying the potential of this unconventional opportunity when limited access to data poses a challenge. The developed wastewater treatment works evaluation framework was applied to all municipal wastewater treatment works in the Gauteng province to identify a first order estimate of 130 kW–884 kW hydropower potential available in the province.

Suggested Citation

  • Bekker, A. & Van Dijk, M. & Niebuhr, C.M., 2022. "A review of low head hydropower at wastewater treatment works and development of an evaluation framework for South Africa," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:159:y:2022:i:c:s1364032122001393
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2022.112216
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    2. Telikani, Akbar & Rossi, Mosé & Khajehali, Naghmeh & Renzi, Massimiliano, 2023. "Pumps-as-Turbines’ (PaTs) performance prediction improvement using evolutionary artificial neural networks," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 330(PA).
    3. Vorlet, S.L. & De Cesare, G., 2024. "A comprehensive review on geomembrane systems application in hydropower," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 189(PA).
    4. Zhao, Chuandang & Wang, Fengjuan & Xu, Jiuping & Tan, Cheng & Østergaard, Poul Alberg, 2024. "Optimal planning and operation for a grid-connected solar–wind–hydro energy system in wastewater treatment plants," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 230(C).

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