en.Wedoany.com Reported - United Utilities plans to submit proposals in the coming weeks to upgrade its Blackburn sewage treatment works by developing a new advanced anaerobic digestion facility. The project aims to increase renewable biogas production by approximately 20% through the introduction of pyrolysis and energy recovery technologies. Once operational, it is expected to generate 127,000 MWh of biogas energy annually, producing green electricity for on-site use and grid export.
This facility upgrade is part of United Utilities' strategy to reduce operational carbon emissions and achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The new advanced anaerobic digestion process will replace the conventional anaerobic digestion method currently used at the site. The biogas produced will be converted into green electricity, partially powering the sewage treatment facility's own operations and partially fed into the grid.
United Utilities has previously successfully implemented the same technology at its largest sewage treatment works in Davyhulme, Manchester, for producing green electricity and biomethane. Tom Lissett, the company's Director of Bioresources and Green Energy, stated that the Blackburn project is designed to deliver immediate benefits and enable the company to implement future innovations as new technologies mature, thereby increasing biogas yield and capturing carbon dioxide.
The Blackburn sewage treatment works currently processes approximately 168 million liters of wastewater annually. In preparation for the upgrade, the site is removing outdated structures to make way for the next construction phase. Lissett added that the company is already piloting a project at Davyhulme to produce clean hydrogen and graphene from biogas generated by bioresources. Although this technology is still in its early stages, it represents a future direction for exploration.
This article is compiled by Wedoany. All AI citations must indicate the source as "Wedoany". If there is any infringement or other issues, please notify us promptly, and we will modify or delete it accordingly. Email: news@wedoany.com
