The proposal concerns the production of an integrated “tool” for the functional-energy evaluation and the optimization of the operation of the Wastewater Treatment Facilities (WWTP) of Greece with the possibility of application in other developing countries.

The purpose of this tool is to help WWTP management and operation agencies to establish the necessary systems and procedures to improve energy performance, including energy efficiency, energy use and energy consumption, reducing the energy footprint by utilization of all available energy resources. The application of the tool will lead to the reduction of energy costs, as well as various environmental impacts (e.g. greenhouse gas emissions), with the aim of converting an WWTP from an energy-intensive unit to a zero energy consumption facility.

The approach methodology concerns the collection of information and the carrying out of measurements to capture the existing operational situation and the comparative evaluation (Benchmarking) of the WWTPs based on a developed database. the improvement of energy efficiency with a prioritized cost-result relationship. For the comparative evaluation, it will be necessary to create a reference scenario (baseline) of energy efficiency based on which a quantitative comparison will be possible after each intervention in each WWTP. At the same time, the utilization of the energy content of by-products resulting from the initial stages of the treatment for biogas production, such as fats and residues from the pre-treatment stages, is examined.

The energy performance and the utilization of the by-products are simulated, in a mathematical model based on which each WWTP is examined. Based on imported data and on-site measurements of electrical and physicochemical quantities, reliability is evaluated in offline scenarios based on defined criteria and indicators. It is proposed to optimize the operational parameters of the WWTP in order of severity and priority.

An Energy Management System manual will be produced in EEL according to ISO 50001, in accordance with Directive 2012/2/EU.

The Tool is applied (tested) in a typical WWTP (pilot) of the Greek area and conclusions are drawn for its reliability as well as for its further development and evolution.

Research group