Optimising the anaerobic digestion process

Scientists at Aqua Enviro have been working with Scottish Water's flagship anaerobic digestion (AD) plant at Deerdykes to optimise the plant, which now creates enough electricity to generate power to 2,000 homes.

 

Aqua Enviro's experienced team has helped to dramatically improve the performance of the Deerdykes AD plant, based in Cumbernauld, which turns food waste from the local area into biogas for renewable power and heat generation. Since 2013, Aqua Enviro has worked with Scottish Water plant operators, helping to troubleshoot performance issues and develop strategies for continual plant improvement by working with staff employed at the site.

As part of this work, Aqua Enviro has implemented an electronic software system that helps optimise the plant's performance. The Deerdykes facility was created by Scottish Water Horizons, the public utilities commercial and renewable energy business, and is one of Scotland's most extensive organic recycling facilities. With recognised expertise in water, wastewater, biosolids and organic waste, Aqua Enviro has been instrumental in helping Scottish Water convert food waste into 6,000-megawatt hours of green energy each year.

 

Aqua Enviro has also helped Scottish Water Horizons reduce carbon emissions on-site and cut business waste costs by optimising the anaerobic digestion process.

 

Rowland Minall, Operations' Manager at Aqua Enviro, said: "Working with Scottish Water Horizons has been a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate the advantages of committing to environmental sustainability and renewable energy".

 

Commercial Manager of Scottish Water Horizons, Donald MacBrayne, said the Deerdykes facility is presently the largest single contributor to Scottish Water’s energy self-generation. He said: “As a significant user of electricity, Scottish Water is working to reduce energy consumption as well as to increase the amount of energy that we generate ourselves. This can help us keep costs low for the benefit of our customers.”

 

Aqua Enviro is a leading environmental consultancy and conference training provider specialising in water, wastewater, biosolids and organic waste treatment.