Upgraded wastewater treatment plant

Renewable energy source for UK’s National Grid

One of the UK’s largest wastewater treatment works (WwTW) is set to become a valuable source of renewable energy. The benefits of a major upgrade at Davyhulme WwTW in Manchester include the generation of electricity from biogas and the potential to provide a sustainable source of soil improver.

Design and construction of the upgraded treatment facility will be undertaken by Black & Veatch as Principal Contractor under United Utilities’ Sludge Balanced Asset Programme. Improvements will double sludge treatment capacity and process biosolids to such a high standard that they have the potential to be re-used as fertiliser. The project will also produce biogas sufficient to generate electricity for running the new treatment process and for feeding into the National Grid.

Pete Robinson, United Utilities Programme Manager, said, “Sludge treatment is a 24-hour process, so there is a continuous supply of biogas. It is a very valuable resource and it is completely renewable. By harnessing this energy we can reduce our fuel bills and reduce our carbon footprint.”

The contract builds on Black & Veatch’s expertise in innovative biogas energy projects. According to Steve Canney, Black & Veatch Senior Vice-President, “We have leading experience in optimising the environmental benefits of advanced sludge treatment plants, such as using the Cambi process selected for Davyhulme. This is an opportunity for us to help United Utilities achieve its carbon dioxide reduction targets by extracting more of the energy available in sewage sludge.”

The contract is planned to begin in early 2010 with initial operation in autumn 2011 and completion in late 2012.