High Operational Flexibility Research Articles

Micro Gas Turbine Role in Distributed Generation with Renewable Energy Sources

To become sustainable, the production of electricity has been oriented towards the adoption of local and renewable sources. Distributed electric and thermal energy generation is more suitable to avoid any possible waste, and the Micro Gas Turbine (MGT) can play a key role in this scenario. Due to the intrinsic properties and the high flexibility of operation of this energy conversion system, the exploitation of alternative fuels and the integration of the MGT itself with other energy conversion systems (solar field, ORC, fuel cells) represent one of the most effective strategies to achieve higher conversion efficiencies and to reduce emissions from power systems. The present work aims to review the results obtained by the researchers in the last years. The different technologies are analyzed in detail, both separately and under a more complete view, considering two or more solutions embedded in micro-grid configurations.

Real-time multi-energy demand response for high-renewable buildings

Proactive demand response is a cost-effective approach to enhance energy flexibility of high-renewable urban energy systems. This paper proposes a two-stage real-time multi-energy demand response framework for a high-renewable building microgrid. In the first stage, a rolling horizon-based on-line scheduling model is formulated to economically optimize the building multi-energy converters and storages via a novel transactive pricing mechanism. In the second stage, the schedulable multi-energy flexibility for response devices is defined and evaluated via comprehensive information. After obtaining the stochastic optimal economical scheduling results in the first stage, the second stage performs a rule-based faster-time scale multi-energy allocation to offset the real-time mismatch energy due to supply–demand uncertainties. Case studies over a building microgrid are performed to validate the effective and superior performances of the proposed method on improvements of multi-energy economy and flexibility. Simulations results show that the system operating cost can be reduced by at most 36.9% with a higher operational flexibility.

A multi-vortex micromixer based on the synergy of acoustics and inertia for nanoparticle synthesis

Mixing is one of the most important steps in chemical reaction, sample preparation and emulsification. However, achieving complete mixing of fluids at high throughput is still a challenge for acoustic micromixers, which are limited by the intensity of the acoustic streaming. In this study, we proposed an acoustic-inertial micromixer based on multi-vortex synergy by introducing inertia into acoustic micromixer. The device contains side-wall sharp-edge structure and contraction-expansion array structure (SCEA) in the microchannel to enhance the acoustic streaming with inertial vortices. The mixing mechanism of SCEA was explored and the mixing process showed three modes: acoustic streaming dominant mode, acoustic-inertial synergy mode and inertial vortex dominant mode. On the basis of the “vortex seed” provided by the contraction-expansion structure, stronger chaotic advection was produced by the synergy of acoustic streaming and inertial vortices (including Dean vortex and horizontal vortex). Rapider mixing (0.20 m s) and wider operating ranges (0–3000 μL/min) were achieved in SCEA at lower driving voltages compared with conventional acoustic micromixers. Finally, more homogeneous and tunable chitosan nanoparticles and shellac nanoparticles were synthesized based on this device. The micromorphology, particle size distribution and drug loading properties of the products were measured and compared. This work provides a platform for control of mixing process in specific application environments with high operational flexibility, indicating potentially wider application of SCEA in multi-functional integration of lab-on-a-chip systems.

Efficacy of Electrospun Nanofiber Membranes on Fouling Mitigation: A Review.

Despite the advantages of high contaminant removal, operational flexibility, and technical advancements offered, the undesirable fouling property of membranes limits their durability, thus posing restrictions on their usage. An enormous struggle is underway to conquer this major challenge. Most of the earlier reviews include the basic concepts of fouling and antifouling, with respect to particular separation processes such as ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, reverse osmosis and membrane bioreactors, graphene-based membranes, zwitterionic membranes, and so on. As per our knowledge, the importance of nanofiber membranes in challenging the fouling process has not been included in any record to date. Nanofibers with the ability to be embedded in any medium with a high surface to volume ratio play a key role in mitigating the fouling of membranes, and it is important for these studies to be critically analyzed and reported. Our Review hence intends to focus on nanofiber membranes developed with enhanced antifouling and biofouling properties with a brief introduction on fabrication processes and surface and chemical modifications. A summary on surface modifications of preformed nanofibers is given along with different nanofiller combinations used and blend fabrication with efficacy in wastewater treatment and antifouling abilities. In addition, future prospects and advancements are discussed.

High-Performance Solid Medium Thermal Energy Storage System for Heat Supply in Battery Electric Vehicles: Proof of Concept and Experimental Testing

The reduction of global CO2 emissions requires cross-sectoral measures to reduce fossil energy consumptions and to strengthen the expansion of renewable energy sources. One element for this purpose are thermal energy storage systems. They enable, due to their time-decoupled operation, increases in systemic efficiency and flexibility in various industrial and power plant processes. In the electricity and heat sector such solutions are already commercially available for large-scale applications or are focused in diverse R&D projects, but are largely new in the transport sector. By transferring existing concepts specifically to the requirements for the heat supply of battery electric vehicles, efficiency improvements can also be achieved in the transport sector. The idea is to provide the required heat for the interior during cold seasons via a previously electrical heated thermal energy storage system. Thus, battery capacities can be saved, and the effective range of the vehicle can be increased. Basic prerequisites for this concept are high systemic storage densities and high performances, which must be justified to commercial battery powered PTC-elements. Compared to large-scale applications, this results in new challenges and design solutions needing finally a proof of concept and experimental tests under vehicle typical specifications. For the first time, a novel thermal energy storage system based on ceramic honeycombs with integrated heating wires and a double-walled, thermally insulated storage containment was developed and constructively realized. This storage system meets all the requirements for the heat supply, reaches high systemic storage and power densities and allows due to its high flexibility a bifunctional operation use: a cyclic storage and a conventional heating mode. In the focused storage operation, high-temperature heat is generated electrically through heating wires during the charging period and transferred efficiently via thermal radiation to the ceramic honeycombs. During the discharging period (driving) the stored thermal energy is used for heating the interior by a bypass control system at defined temperatures with high thermal output. The systematic measurement campaigns and successful model validations confirm high electrical heating powers of 6.8 kW during the charging period and a heat supply with a thermal output of 5 kW over more than 30 min during the discharging period. Despite current infrastructure and test rig restrictions, high systemic storage densities of 155 Wh/kg with constant discharging outlet temperatures are reached. Compared to battery powered heating systems, the experimental results for the developed thermal energy storage system confirm an excellent level of competitiveness due to its high performance, operational flexibility and low-cost materials.

Mathematical model of a power boiler operation under rapid thermal load changes

Due to the current need for coal-fired power units to cooperate with renewable energy sources, they should be characterized by a high flexibility of operation. An in-house mathematical model of a natural circulation power boiler was developed to analyse whether such cooperation is possible. A new method to simulate the heating of several surfaces located parallel in one flue gas duct is proposed. The correctness of the results obtained using the developed model was verified experimentally. A test was performed in a fossil fuel-fired power plant involving a rapid increase in the steam mass flow rate at the boiler outlet. The model verification consisted of comparing the measured and computed temperature and mass flow rates of the fluids at several boiler locations. To estimate the accuracy of the results obtained using the developed model, relative errors and root-mean-square errors were calculated. The small values of these errors indicate the correctness of the results obtained with in-house developed computation methods. The mathematical models presented in this study can be used in power unit simulators. In particular, they can be applied to create in-house models of other power boilers intended for cooperation with renewable energy sources under fast-changing loads.

High-Frequency Mode Shape Dependent Flame-Acoustic Interactions in Reheat Flames

Abstract Gas turbines featuring sequentially staged combustion systems offer excellent performance in terms of fuel flexibility, part load performance and combined-cycle efficiency. These reheat combustion systems are therefore a key technology for meeting fluctuating power demand in energy infrastructures with increasing proportions of volatile renewable energy sources. To allow the high operational flexibility required to operate in this role, it is essential that the impact of thermoacoustic instabilities is minimized at all engine load conditions. In this case, high-frequency thermoacoustic instabilities in the second “reheat” combustion stage are investigated. Reheat flames are stabilized by both auto-ignition and propagation and, as a result, additional thermoacoustic driving mechanisms are present compared with more conventional swirl-stabilized combustors. Two self-excited thermoacoustic modes have been observed in a 1 MW reheat test rig at atmospheric pressure, one which exhibits limit-cycle behavior while the other is only intermittently unstable. The underlying driving mechanisms for each individual mode have been investigated previously and, in this paper, the two modes are directly compared to understand why these instabilities are each associated with different driving phenomena. It is shown that, due to the different flame regimes present in the reheat combustor, the potential for flame-acoustic coupling is highly dependent on the thermoacoustic mode shape. Different interactions between the flame and acoustics are possible depending on the orientation of the acoustic pressure nodes and antinodes relative to the auto-ignition- and propagation-stabilized flame regions, with the strongest coupling occurring when an antinode is located close to the auto-ignition zone. This provides insight into the significance of the different driving mechanisms and contributes to the ongoing development of models to allow prediction and mitigation of thermoacoustic instabilities in reheat combustion systems, which are crucial for reliable combustor designs in the future.

Hollow Fiber Membrane for Organic Solvent Nanofiltration: A Mini Review.

Organic solvents take up 80% of the total chemicals used in pharmaceutical and related industries, while their reuse rate is less than 50%. Traditional solvent treatment methods such as distillation and evaporation have many disadvantages such as high cost, environmental unfriendliness, and difficulty in recovering heat-sensitive, high-value molecules. Organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN) has been a prevalent research topic for the separation and purification of organic solvent systems since the beginning of this century with the benefits of no-phase change, high operational flexibility, low cost, as well as environmental friendliness. Especially, hollow fiber (HF) OSN membranes have gained a lot of attention due to their high packing density and easy scale-up as compared with flat-sheet OSN membranes. This paper critically reviewed the recent research progress in the preparation of HF OSN membranes with high performance, including different materials, preparation methods, and modification treatments. This paper also predicts the future direction of HF OSN membrane development.

Catalytic Self‐Assembled Air Electrode for Highly Active and Durable Reversible Protonic Ceramic Electrochemical Cells

AbstractReversible protonic ceramic electrochemical cells (R‐PCECs) is one of the most promising devices for efficient energy conversion and storage due to the high flexibility in reversible operation on dual modes of fuel cell and electrolysis cells. The key limitations of R‐PCECs performance lie mainly in the sluggish catalytic activity and poor durability of the air electrode for oxygen evolution/reduction reactions under realistic operating conditions. Herein, the findings on the development of highly active and durable air electrodes, achieved by a catalytic self‐assembly of Ba2Co1.5Mo0.25Nb0.25O6−δ (BC1.5MN) composite electrode, are reported. Under high‐temperature firing conditions, BC1.5MN is elegantly decomposed to a single‐perovskite BaCoO3−δ (SP‐BCO) and a double‐perovskite Ba2−xCo1.5−xMo0.5Nb0.5O6−δ (DP‐BCMN). Furthermore, fuel‐electrode‐supported full cells with BC1.5MN air electrode exhibit outstanding performance at 650 °C, achieving a peak power density of 1.17 W cm−2 and an electrolysis current density of 2.04 A cm−2 at 1.3 V. More importantly, the cells demonstrate excellent operation durability over 1100 h in fuel cell mode and exceptional cell cycling stability over 110 times within 220 h in dual modes of fuel cell and electrolysis cell. It is experimentally suggested that the catalytic durability is optimized by strong interaction between BCO and BCMN.

MEUF for removal and recovery of valuable organic components present in effluents: A process intensified technology.

In recent years, the domain of the research space in novel separation process has been led by membrane systems as a panacea providing multifarious benefits of high separation efficiency, elimination of extreme process conditions, sustainability, and environment friendliness coupled with high operational flexibility. In this niche area, often, ultrafiltration is touted as a robust separation technique due to its high separation efficiency, membrane stability, and lower operating costs. The only drawback of relatively large pore size can be overcome by combining surfactant addition, leading to development of integrated processes termed as Micellar Enhanced Ultrafiltration. MEUF processes isolate and selectively separate valuable organics present in effluent streams. The process characteristics fit the bill as a typified example for process intensification Technology interventions for recycling of surfactants can enhance the cost-competitiveness of the process. This has the potential to develop into a broad-spectrum effluent treatment option with a change of surfactants for target contaminants. Here, in this review, we attempt to critically examine the unique features of this technology, development of spin-offs with wide-ranging applications. Specifically applications in removal of hazardous, and persistent components like dissolved organics have been critically studied. The focus was to highlight the crux of the novel technologies highlighting the efficacy and the underlying concept of process intensification. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Role of MEUF as a sustainable process intensifying separation technique for removal and recovery of organics. Novel process development using MEUF. Comparative performance analysis to assess efficacy. Discussions on future integrative process development. Sustainability aspect of MEUF with possibility of byproduct recovery.

Mobile Robot for Automated Storage & Retrieval System

The automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) are major material handling support systems that are commonly used in the automated factories, distribution centers, warehousing, and non-manufacturing environments. These robot-based handling systems are increasingly applied in distribution centers and are of high demand in e-commerce operations because of their less space requirement, higher operational flexibility and continuous ability to work thereby continuously produce output 24/7. The study will be focused on the advantages and applications of this robotic system in the Automated Storage & Retrieval System, thereby comparing it with the robot operating on the ground.

Comprehensive Assessment of Fault-Resilient Schemes Based on Energy Storage Integrated Modular Converters for AC-DC Conversion Systems

Due to the scalability and flexibility of various modular power electronic converters, integrating split energy storage components (such as batteries and supercapacitors) is feasible and attractive. This paper investigates the operational and economic characteristics of different ac/dc fault-resilient schemes using energy storage integrated modular converters in ac-dc conversion applications. Based on the topological features between the energy storage system (ESS) and the ac and/or dc system, four energy storage based modular converter deployment schemes are presented. Through a case study, operational performance including fault isolation and power compensation under extreme ac/dc fault conditions are verified using time-domain simulation. System losses are evaluated, whereas detailed design considerations, major component usage and estimated capital costs are articulated. The four schemes are compared and selection guidelines are presented. In general, the schemes with independent ESSs would be preferable for such ac-dc conversion applications due to their high operational flexibility.

High flexibility in Francis turbine operation and design philosophy: A review

This paper examines and discusses how various operation schemes and design philosophies can prolong the expected lifetime of a hydro turbine subjected to many start-stop cycles and high ramping rates. With the proliferation of renewable and non-dispatchable energy sources in Europe, a higher demand for flexible operation is put on the rest of the system. Given the short response time of hydro power, there is a huge potential for the Norwegian power sector to act as a stabiliser for the rest of mainland Europe. With a more flexible operation however, the turbines will experience a higher load variation which can lead to premature fatigue and failure of existing turbines. This research reviews the current startup and ramping schemes, as well as design aspects, which might affect and reduce the mechanical stresses experienced by the hydro turbine.

Process optimization via confidence region: a case study from micro-injection molding

In industrial research, experiments are designed to determine the optimal factor levels of the process parameters. Typically, experimental data are used to fit empirical models (for example, regression models) to derive one set of optimal conditions that maximize (or minimize) the response. Unfortunately, the optimization rarely provides a Confidence Interval for the location of the optimal solution, even though the optimal solution itself is subjected to variability. From a practitioner's point of view, identifying a region of possible optimal values provides high operational flexibility to adjust process parameters online during production. This paper provides a procedure for computing a confidence region for the optimal point based on experimental data, bootstrapping, and data depth. The procedure is validated using a case study from micro-injection molding, where the part weight is maximized under a constraint of the probability of flash formation. The proposed method considers that the objective function (part weight) and the constraint (probability of flash formation) are estimated from experimental data and subjected to sampling variability.

Feasibility of surface dielectric barrier discharge in wastewater treatment: Spectroscopic modeling, diagnostic, and dye mineralization

The paper investigates the ability of a surface dielectric barrier discharge (SDBD) based reactor to mineralize complex organic molecules such as azo dyes in water. The high operational flexibility, low maintenance, and energy efficiency of SDBD over most of the other plasma systems motivated its selection. Also, SDBD produces even discharge over a relatively large surface area. This could enhance plasma-liquid interaction and the production of reactive chemical species. Optical emission spectroscopy coupled with the collision radiative model and temperature measurements reveals the non-equilibrium nature of the plasma. Through plasma diagnostics, the study established the ability of SDBD to generate high energetic electrons with an electron temperature of 1.6 eV at a moderate sample temperature. The data supports the effective generation of reactive chemical species by SDBD reactor and its suitability for wastewater treatment with less energy consumption. The enhanced ability of the SDBD to mineralize azo dye (Brilliant Red 5B) in water is demonstrated under ambient conditions. The reactor is operated as a function of initial dye concentration, pH, and background salts such as NaCl, Na2SO4, and Na2CO3 to understand their effect on dye degradation. Faster degradation and mineralization of Brilliant Red 5B were observed due to the enhanced generation of •OH and H2O2 in the liquid medium. The degradation and complete mineralization of 50 mg/L of dye was achieved at hydraulic retention times of 20 min and 72 min, respectively. Compared to other plasma reactors reported, the present system showed a high energy yield of 247 mg/kWh at an operating power of 60 W and initial dye concentration of 50 mg/L. In short, the studies address two significant challenges of using plasma in wastewater treatment, i.e., energy efficiency and scalability.

Modelling barriers of battery integration in smart grid

PurposeBattery integration with renewable energy and conventional power grid is common practice in smart grid systems and provides higher operational flexibility. Abundant issues and challenges to the Indian smart grid while integrating renewable energy and storage technology will give timely emphasis to grasp uninterrupted power supply in forthcoming trend. Hence, this paper aims to acknowledge different barriers of battery integration and evaluate them to develop approaches for restricting their influence.Design/methodology/approachA multi-model approach is used to illustrate how these challenges are interrelated by systematically handling expert views and helps to chronologically assemble various issues from the greatest severe to the slightest severe ones. Further, these barriers are grouped using the cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to the classification analysis (MICMAC) study grounded on their driving and dependence power. Also, hypothesis testing was done to validate the obtained model.FindingsIt provides a complete thoughtful on directional interrelationships between the barriers and delivers the best possible solution for the active operation of the smart grid and its performance.Research limitations/implicationsThere is a significant requirement for high-tech inventions outside the transmission grid to function for the integration of renewables and storage systems.Practical implicationsThe model will support policymakers in building knowledgeable decisions while chronologically rejecting the challenges of battery integration in smart grid systems to improve power grid performance.Originality/valueBased on author’s best knowledge, there is hardly any research that explicitly explains the framework for the barriers of battery integration in grid for developing countries like India. It is one of the first attempts to understand the fundamental barriers for battery integration. This study adds significantly to the literature on the energy sector by capturing the perspective of various stakeholders.

Тенденции развития флота морских технологических платформ в период 2015–2021 гг.

Object and purpose of research. This paper discusses marine oil and gas production platforms splitted into four types depending on their purpose. The study was intended to analyse the changes in global production platform fleet and outline the main trends in its development. Materials and methods. The study was based on the open-access data available with offshore field developers, oil and gas companies, shipyards and design offices. The methods in this study were acquisition, analysis and comparison of the data about the fleet of marine oil and gas production platforms. Main results. The paper presents the results of fleet composition analysis for floating oil and gas production platforms over the period of 2015–2021 characterized by the decline in global oil and gas prices. The study shows that the most common type of marine production platforms is FPSO (213 vessels). The strength of FPU and FPDSO fleets remains the same: 99 and 2 vessels respectively. Their geography has not changed either. The fleet of FLNGs has increased up to 7 ships since the commissioning of first FLNGs in 2014. Conclusion. FPSO platforms of various designs (mostly ship-type) offer high mobility and operational flexibility, i.e. greater project revenues and zero pipeline construction costs in case of remote field developments. It must be noted that water depths at FPSO locations have reached their record highs: 2900 m for production platforms and 3400 m for drilling ones. In future, floating platforms could be replaced by subsea production system but their massive introduction cannot be expected in at least 30–50 years to come.

Inter-Comparison of Proximal Near-Surface Soil Moisture Measurement Techniques

Precision agriculture is experiencing substantial development through the improved availability of cost-effective instruments for data collection. This includes ground-based proximal sensing technologies that are able to compete with satellite and aircraft observation systems, due to low operational costs, high operational flexibility, and high spatial resolution. This article was therefore designed to compare the performance of multiple sensing systems mounted on a smart buggy platform. A number of proximal sensing technologies were then evaluated and intercompared for their accuracy in retrieving high resolution near-surface soil moisture. The sensors tested included an <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">L</i> -band microwave radiometer (ELBARA III), a global navigation satellite system reflectometer sensor (LARGO), and an electromagnetic induction sensor (EM38). Data were collected during the fifth Soil Moisture Active Passive Experiment (SMAPEx-5) in Yanco, NSW, Australia, in September 2015. Observations from each sensor were converted to surface soil moisture values which were in turn evaluated against reference measurements obtained by <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">in situ</i> soil moisture measurements. The sensing technologies tested here have been individually assessed by many other studies, but within different regions and environments including surface condition, local weather, observing height, size of footprint, etc. Consequently, this article has used a single platform to intercompare the different sensors to be evaluated concurrently. Results from this article indicated that the <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">L</i> -band microwave radiometer achieved the best performance in retrieving surface soil moisture. The average RMSE and <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">R</i> were found to be 0.055 cm <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">3</sup> /cm <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">3</sup> and 0.68 for ELBARA III, 0.084 cm <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">3</sup> /cm <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">3</sup> and 0.51 for LARGO, and 0.090 cm <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">3</sup> /cm <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">3</sup> and 0.32 for the EM38.

A grid-based evolutionary spatial algorithm for airline service design in multi-airport systems

This paper proposes an integrated modeling framework to support airline frequency planning in a multi-airport system. First, a grid-based spatial model is developed to estimate passenger demand as a function of air-service characteristics (such as flight frequency and airfare) and ground accessibility. Second, an evolutionary algorithm is proposed to provide decision support for the allocation of flights to airports belonging to the multi-airport system, subject to fleet availability, flow balance and operational requirements. We apply the proposed approach to model frequent flyer passengers departing from one of the major multi-airport systems in Europe. Our results show that the degree of diversification of a multi-airport system—i.e., the presence of alternative airports—plays a significant role on both the demand and supply sides, providing passengers with more diversified and accessible services and providing airlines with higher operational flexibility and resilience in case of disruptions. Our modeling framework can be extended to capture additional managerial objectives or practical requirements.

Deployment and Optimisation of a Pilot-Scale IASBR System for Treatment of Dairy Processing Wastewater

Increased pressure is being applied to industrial wastewater treatment facilities to adhere to more stringent regulations for the discharge of treated wastewater and to improve energy efficiency of the process. Nitrogen and phosphorous removal can be challenging to achieve efficiently, and in the case of phosphorous removal, can often necessitate the use of chemicals. There is a major drive globally to improve wastewater treatment infrastructure, whilst simultaneously reducing the carbon footprint of the process. The intermittently aerated sequencing batch reactor offers a modification of the well-known sequencing batch reactor process that can enable lower energy requirements than conventional sequencing batch reactor processes and can facilitate enhanced nutrient removal capacities. However, to date much of the previous literature has focused on relatively short laboratory-scale trials (often with synthetic wastewater) which may not be representative of larger scale system performance. This study explored the intermittently aerated sequencing batch reactor technology via a case-study deployment at a dairy production facility, in terms of treatment efficiency and energy efficiency with a focus on optimisation between phases. High treatment capacity and operational flexibility was achieved with NH4-N removals averaging &gt;89%, PO4-P removal averaging &gt;90% and total suspended solids removal averaging &gt;97%. This research demonstrates the characteristics of intermittently aerated sequencing batch reactor technology at scale to effectively achieve biological nutrient removal. In addition, this study demonstrated that when effectively managed, energy savings and reductions in carbon emissions in the region of 36–68% are achievable through optimisation of reactor operation.