Renewable energy from several waste streams

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is supporting Unitywater in its development of a waste-to-energy feasibility study that could revolutionise the way we think about, and use, sewage.

The $697,000 study will see Unitywater assess the commercial viability of converting its Kawana sewage treatment facility on the Sunshine Coast to produce biogas and electricity from various waste sources. These sources include captured and treated sewage and other wastes such as fats, oils and greases from industry and businesses like restaurants and cafes.

“According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australia produces around 40 million tonnes of waste annually and more than half of this is organic,” said ARENA CEO Ivor Frischknecht. “The majority is unexploited, ending up in the sewer or sent to landfill.

“This study will uncover options for sewage treatment plants around Australia, particularly in regional areas, to turn this unused waste into electricity.”

Unitywater believes that a well-managed waste-to-energy cycle that could have regional benefits will lead to lower greenhouse gas emissions, a greater potential for energy self-sufficiency and flow-on savings for customers. As noted by CEO George Theo, “The exciting thing about this feasibility study is its potential to deliver practical benefits and learning, not only for Unitywater but the water industry as a whole.

“We will thoroughly investigate a concept that is scalable and one which could be adopted by other water utilities,” said Theo. “We are pleased to be working together with ARENA to share this knowledge.”

ARENA is providing $296,000 funding towards the $697,000 study, which is scheduled for completion by mid-2017.