Abstract
In upcoming years, water demand is expected to boost worldwide, and with that, wastewater generation and the required energy for treatment. Provided that efficiency measures should be implemented at first instance, developments of renewable energy technologies are needed to improve sustainability at wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Based on theoretical analyses of literature data, this article presents a novel perspective of the role that hydropower could play in that energy framework. This research applied a new approach compared to previous studies, considering the introduction of sustainability aspects in the decision-making process, other than economic feasibility. With that aim, a broad search of real case studies was conducted, and suitable Key Performance Indicators based on the energy self-sufficiency concept were selected and applied to the identified cases. The findings suggest that there is not a rule of thumb to determine feasibility for hydropower installation and this technology might deserve more attention. This new perspective can help to raise awareness among policy makers, decision managers, or plant operators, of the possibilities hydropower could offer to the wastewater industry in the pathway towards more sustainable systems.
Highlights
The plan of action for sustainable development, known as the Agenda 2030, was adopted by the United Nations in 2015 to establish a new global framework towards sustainability
Sustainability Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) based on the energy self-sufficiency concept were applied instead of economic considerations
In the final steps of the previous phase, for each wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) identified as a real case study of hydropower application, the search was extended seeking published data about their general energy performance
Summary
The plan of action for sustainable development, known as the Agenda 2030, was adopted by the United Nations in 2015 to establish a new global framework towards sustainability. In upcoming years, the installation of new facilities will be needed, whereas some retrofitting of existing plants will be necessary too [30] These updates will include a progressive implementation of additional processes, for more advanced treatments than the classic elimination of solids and organic matter, as the requirements for the quality of effluents to be discharged are increasing. Awareness of contaminants of emerging concern [21,32] most likely will result in even stricter standards in the future, requiring further treatment as well In all this context, within the years, the already high energy demand for wastewater treatment is expected to grow significantly worldwide [28,33]. Both, associated economic costs and environmental impacts will rise too
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