Author(s): Usman Safder; Sarah Cotterill; Recep Kaan Dereli
Linked Author(s): Usman Safder
Keywords: Climate change mitigation Energy self-sufficiency Hydrogen production Renewable energy Water resource recovery facility
Abstract: Optimizing energy efficiency in water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) is increasingly critical due to rising energy costs and the need to mitigate climate change. WRRFs are essential for preserving the environment and public wellness; however, they are also significant electricity consumers. This study proposes a novel approach that centers around supply-demand responses and the energy self-sufficiency network of WRRFs in Ireland. A systematic platform is proposed for designing energy self-sufficient WRRFs including biogas from anaerobic digestion (AD), a thermo-mathematical model to maximize electricity generation from waste sludge, demand-supply management to reduce storage reliance, and a nonlinear optimization model for wind turbine (WT) sizing. Three energy self-sufficient designs (ESDs) are proposed involves WRRFs powered by WTs (ESD-1), an integrated system combining biogas-fueled combined heat and power plants (CHPPs) and WTs, with excess energy delivered to the electrolyzer to produce hydrogen and oxygen (ESD-2), and integrated retrofitted WRRFs with CHPPs, membrane-based pressure-retarded osmosis (PRO), and WTs (ESD-3). In ESD-1, WTs power the WRRFs, with the grid acting as a storage unit. ESD-2 utilizes biogas from AD to fuel CHPPs, complemented by WTs. ESD-3 integrates CHPPs, wind, and PRO systems to minimize energy trade and maximize efficiency. Comparative technical and economic models of the optimal configurations are developed to evaluate the suggested ESDs. Gradually incorporating renewable energy into the electricity grid can support the shift to a carbon-neutral economy in Ireland by 2050.
Year: 2025