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

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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Sustainability 2021-05, Vol.13 (10), p.5537
Main Authors: Llácer-Iglesias, Rosa M., López-Jiménez, P. Amparo, Pérez-Sánchez, Modesto
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alternative energy sources
Decision making
Energy
Energy consumption
Energy efficiency
Energy policy
Energy technology
Feasibility
Hydroelectric power
Renewable energy technologies
Renewable resources
Self sufficiency
Sludge
Sustainability
Sustainable development
Trends
Wastewater treatment
Wastewater treatment plants
Water demand
Water treatment
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Summary: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.
ISSN:2071-1050
2071-1050
DOI:10.3390/su13105537