SA Water’s ambitious goal of achieving net zero electricity costs by 2020 is supported by a suite of energy management initiatives; including conversion of biogas generated from sewage treatment plants into electricity.
Nova Systems was asked to investigate and assess options for optimising this waste recovery activity from its current performance of providing 70% of power requirements at the Glenelg Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). Holistic systems thinking was deployed to ensure that the WWTP operations integrity is not compromised in the process of defining a solution that optimises use of the biogas generated. Collaboration and engagement from stakeholders (operators, vendors and asset managers) resulted in identification of a preferred hybrid operational and capital option that improves the financial return of the biogas waste resource conversion to electricity. This work was integrated into the Glenelg WWTP System Asset Management Plan submission to the Essential Services Commission of South Australia as part of SA Water’s Regulatory Business Proposal 2020.
