Energy Efficiency Measures and Climate Change Mitigation...

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The objectives of this Water Research Commission funded project are to:

• Conduct pilot energy and GHG emission audits for selected case study wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and benchmark with international best practice
• Identify feasible energy efficiency technologies and assess the potential impacts of their implementation on energy savings and carbon footprint
•  Develop an energy efficiency focused climate change mitigation and adaptation framework 
• Demonstrate potential future operating cost savings 
• Frame the energy audits and energy efficiency practices for their incorporation into the Drop Certification Programme 

The following tasks will be undertaken to fulfill the project objectives: 

• Energy and GHG emission audits and benchmark with international best practice:
• Identification and evaluation (through mathematical modelling where applicable) of feasible energy efficiency strategies and technologies
• Development of a climate change mitigation and adaptation framework linked to energy efficiency at WWTPs
• Financial, economic and environmental assessment of the current and future benefits derived from implementation of energy efficiency at the country’s WWTPs 
• Framing the energy audits and energy efficiency practices for their incorporation into the Drop Certification Programme and pilot test their use for Drop Certification Audits
• Preparation of project report

Three nitrification – denitrification biological excess phosphorus removal (ND-EBPR) activated sludge plants (large, medium and small sized were selected as case studies. The case study plants were selected based on the rationale that ND-BNR ASPs which are energy intensive due to aeration, constitute 69% of South Africa’s wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Strategies developed for these plants will be representative of the majority of WWTPs and can therefore be practically implemented.