UK’s first heat from sewage scheme launched

The UK has launched its first SHARC energy recovery system, which uses sewage to power heating systems.

The new system is at the Scottish Borders Campus in Galashiels.

Equitix and the UK Green Investment Bank have invested in the SHARC heat recovery system, which intercepts waste water from a sewer close to the local treatment works operated by Scottish Water.

The system uses a heat pump to amplify the natural warmth of waste water, which is being sold to Borders College under a 20 year purchase agreement, producing savings in energy costs and carbon emissions.

The new system provides 95% of the heat needed by the Galashiels campus and does not have an impact on the normal operation of the local waste water project.

Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said:“The move towards low carbon and renewable heat offers enormous potential to boost Scotland’s economic growth while providing affordable warmth by exploiting the opportunity for more productive use of energy for heating and cooling from a range of sources.

Scottish Water Horizons support the development of a sustainable economy in Scotland, and have played key role in the delivery of the project.

A total of 1.34Bn litres of drinking water is provided each day by Scottish Water, before collection and treatment of 847 million litres of waste water.

Alan Scott, Scottish Water’s Finance Director, said: “The UK’s first sewage to heat scheme in Galashiels is an excellent example of how water resources can be harnessed and maximised, furthering the development of Scotland’s low carbon economy”.

The initiative builds on work to use Scotland’s water resources to help regenerate renewable energy, helping reduce costs and make Scotland more sustainable.

Heat is estimated to account for over half of Scotland’s total energy use and is responsible for almost half of the greenhouse gas emissions.

 

 

 

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