Energy from wastewater - a feasibility study and guide for: Technology developers and researchers, industry and wastewater generators and policy makers

Abstract

This guide is based on a study funded by the Water Research Commission with the purpose of determining the feasibility of developing technologies for energy recovery from wastewater. A full technical report is available for further reference (WRC report no 1732/1/09). The availability of clean, renewable fuels is well recognised to be core to sustainable economic growth. The use of wastewater as a renewable energy resource has been poorly exploited to date particularly in developing countries such as South Africa. Wastewaters as renewable sources of energy are valuable to supplement and/or replace non-renewable sources, reduce the environmental burden of conventional power generation and provide the added benefit of enhanced waste processing. The study reviewed the available literature and surveyed international and national practice in energy recovery from wastewater in order to identify the most significant potential for new research and innovation. A survey of potentials for energy from wastewater in South Africa served to identify which types of substrates are available in significant amounts. The project also included a set of case studies that show what factors to consider in developing energy from wastewater projects. Workshops were held to provide opportunities for consultation with stakeholders in the fields of wastewater treatment and technology development, in order to determine areas where technical and application problems might exist (WRC report no1732/1/09). This guide makes recommendations relevant to the R&D sector regarding recovery of energy from wastewater. It also seeks to provide information about directions which would be useful to South Africa’s research community by identifying areas where R&D are needed, and by highlighting areas to which the WRC might direct funding in future.