Energy self-sufficient wastewater treatment plants: feasibilities and challenges

Optimization of energy efficiency is important for wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Increasing energy costs and concerns about global climate change highlight the need to realize energy self-sufficiency in WWTPs. Energy self-sufficient WWTPs have been studied to reduce operation costs, energy consumption and achieve carbon neutrality. In this paper, we analyzed the energy consumption and recovery in WWTPs. We characterized the comprehensive influence factors of energy use in WWTPs including treatment techniques, treatment capacity and different regions. It is feasible to establish energy self-sufficient WWTPs, although there are still challenges for the implementation of energy self-sufficient WWTPs, such as technology barriers and higher investments, particularly in developing countries. (C) 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.