Bristol-based firm Aqualogy Environment Ltd have been awarded a contract by Thames Water for advanced energy recovery from sludge. The company is part of the SUEZ Group.
Thames Water has been seeking new methods to recover large amounts of renewable energy from sewage sludge to meet regulatory, economic and environmental targets.
Currently, the majority of the sewage sludge generated in Thames Water’s catchment area is digested using conventional anaerobic digestion. This typically recovers around 30% of the energy potential of the sludge. Thames Water wants to recover a larger amount of energy from the sludge.
Thames Water said it is looking for a minimum of a third party technology provider to work alongside them to develop a full-scale (10-40 dry tonnes/day) demonstration plant to recover renewable energy in the form of electricity, biogas and/or heat. The technology could either be market ready or still under development.
Aqualogy has been awarded the contract for Lot 1, covering technologies already proven in the water utilities sector. The contract will run for a minimum 3 year term to a maximum 7 years.
The tender stage for Lot 2 and Lot 3 – Lot 2 covering technology at developmental stage proven in industries other than water and technology; and Lot 3 covering technology at developmental stage that has been unproven in industries other than water and technology – has now been discontinued.
It is unknown how many companies entered the bidding process or the estimated value of the contract.
