Is Wastewater to Electricity Generator the New Energy Solution?

Wastewater management plants currently serve one purpose, and that is to clean a water supply for reuse in non human consumption needs. Up until now these water treatment plants have been a consumer of electricity on the power grid but research into microbes could have changed what we once knew about water treatment plants. Would it be possible for these treatment plants to power themselves? Biologists think this may be possible in the near future.

Research out of Oregon State University conducted by engineers and biologists has developed a new technology that utilizes microbes which digest waste water to power a microbial fuel cell. Although microbial fuel cells have existed in the past they have been largely inefficient for the cost and space they require. The application of this new microbial fuel technology is estimated to be between 10 to 50 times more effective than its predecessors and can be implemented into existing water treatment plants.

This research will most likely have a dramatic affect on the design and usage for wastewater facilities around the world, which currently is divided into 3 stages of treatment. The use of microbial fuel cells is predicted to eliminate the stage which treats activated sludge. In addition to this replacement, implementation of this technology would allow these facilities to produce power for the grid instead of consuming it.

Is water treatment a reliable energy source?

It is currently estimated that approximately 3% of the energy consumed in the United States of America is used towards water treatment facilities. Although this source of power may not be sufficient to replace existing energy resources, it is a step in eliminating energy usage created from fossil fuel sources while producing some additional power to alleviate consumption needs in an environmentally friendly process.

It is theorized by some biologists and engineers that once further research is conducted into improving the efficiency of these fuel cells, this can become a fairly reliable power source without emitting greenhouse gasses. The technology has already been tested and proven on a small scale so current operations are underway to develop usage in a commercial market.

How does it work?

Aerobic bacteria are being used in existing power, however the new process would utilize bacteria which oxidizes organic matter in waste which produces electrons to create a charge that is transferred into the battery of the fuel cell. The knowledge of bacteria’s ability to produce electricity has been known for a few decades, it is recently being applied into usage for generating and capturing energy.

The availability of this new technology would revolutionize developing nations which have a lack of power and are unable to build water treatment facilities in remote regions. Whatever potential this energy solution may hold for the future, it is certain that this research has only just reached its break through moment and has a much more work required to refine and harness the full potential of the energy synthesis from microbial fuel cells. Although proven capable to generate electricity, this technology is still very far from being considered the next major energy solution.