The water authorities saw potential in optimizing their energy management. In collaboration with the engineering firm Witteveen+Bos, Repowered investigated the possibilities for transforming wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) into Smart Energy Hubs. This innovative concept has been developed in detail for the Harderwijk WWTP.
Please contact us to discuss this project.
The main responsibilities of the water boards are: regulating water levels using, for example, pumping stations and locks; treating wastewater; and maintaining flood defenses, such as dikes and dunes. This study focused on wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and was commissioned by the Knowledge Center of the Dutch Water Boards (STOWA).
A wastewater treatment plant is vital to public health but also energy-intensive. Water authorities are therefore exploring ways to meet their own energy needs. This includes energy conservation, generation via solar panels and wind power, but also by utilizing residual heat released during sludge drying, or by producing biogas from residual materials for combined heat and power plants. There are thus many energy flows, and consequently, significant potential for optimizing their energy management.
We mapped out how to manage energy procurement, sales, storage, and conversion in a smart way within those wastewater treatment plants. This was achieved primarily by integrating the various energy flows, energy carriers, and energy technologies within a single system to form a Smart Energy Hub. The goal was to make the concepts developed within the Smart Energy Hub universally applicable. The report ultimately demonstrated how wastewater treatment plants can be utilized as smart energy systems.
A wastewater treatment plant’s operations essentially involve a combination of various energy solutions. This allows wastewater treatment plants to use their energy very flexibly. And that opens up opportunities to integrate wastewater treatment plants intelligently into local energy systems and the energy market.
The study focused on both the technical and organizational aspects of the energy system surrounding wastewater treatment plants. It also examined the broader societal benefits of implementing Smart Energy Hubs. We did not stop at producing a comprehensive report; we also put these innovative concepts into practice. In collaboration with our partner Witteveen+Bos, we developed a detailed plan for the Harderwijk wastewater treatment plant.
The STOWA project has provided valuable insights into the transformation of wastewater treatment plants into Smart Energy Hubs. By intelligently utilizing wastewater treatment plants as energy sources, we can promote local energy exchange and use energy more efficiently. This makes a significant contribution to the energy self-sufficiency of wastewater treatment plants and to a sustainable future.
Last updated on January 23, 2026
Getting the most out of your energy system starts with an introduction.
We’d be happy to help you regain insight into and control over your energy.
Schedule
