Wastewater is a source of renewable energy in Urumqi, China

Veolia deploys solutions to make wastewater treatment a source of renewable energy. In Urumqi, China, biogas from sludge digestion is captured and recovered to cover 50% of the Hedong wastewater treatment plant’s energy needs.
 

In 2010, in response to the sharp increase in the city’s wastewater treatment needs, Veolia carried out major construction and renovation works at the Hedong wastewater treatment plant near Urumqi. The volume treated doubled to reach 400,000 m3 per day, for a collection area populated with 1.5 million inhabitants - one third of Urumqi’s population.
 

Sludge digestion to produce biogas and reduce dependence on fossil fuels

The site was also equipped with sludge treatment facilities to reduce the volume of sludge by 30% and capture the methane derived from anaerobic digestion. The biogas is then transferred to the plant’s boilers where a cogeneration system simultaneously produces electricity and heat.

2,700 m3 of sludge are treated each day, generating around 985,318 m3 of biogas per month. This solution covers the site’s heating needs and up to 50% of its energy needs.

By harnessing this green energy source, Veolia has increased the Hedong wastewater treatment plant’s self-sufficiency and reduced its CO2 emissions by 80%.