Heat recovery with UHRIG: The potential in wastewater

Great potential: Heat from waste water pays off

Heat recovery from wastewater is worthwhile for several reasons: The energy source wastewater is available free of charge, easy to tap and available exactly where the energy demand is highest. It is also economically efficient and climate-friendly: From a standing start, around 5 to 14 % of the heat demand in German buildings could be met with energy from wastewater. This corresponds to about 100 TWh/a. This enormous potential was confirmed by a study conducted by enervis energy advisors GmbH in December 2017. In the meantime, numerous other studies have confirmed this result.

A few impressive facts

To illustrate the high potential of wastewater heat utilisation, we have compiled some facts and figures for you here:

• Economical: Energy generation from wastewater is “sector coupling” – additional benefits are derived from an existing infrastructure.
• Efficient: The potential of wastewater heat is 101.4 TWh/a. Even with a conservative estimate, about 35 TWh of this potential could be raised by 2030.
• Practical: Especially in cities and conurbations, energy source and energy demand coincide geographically. This optimises the relationship between supply and demand.
• Expandable: If industrial waste water is integrated, the potential of waste water heat can be increased by a further factor of 1.79.
• Invertible: The cooling potential of energy from wastewater is 14 TWh. With rising temperatures and hotter summers, this makes wastewater energy even more attractive.
• Clean: By 2030, wastewater heat utilisation could save around 10.7 million tonnes of CO2.

Political dimension and forward looking

On a political level, too, energy from wastewater has two major advantages. On the one hand, the heat extraction takes place underground and therefore remains completely invisible: It does not need power plants or other facilities and does not disturb the landscape in any way. Secondly, it reduces dependence on energy and raw material imports from other countries.

The advantages of recovering heat from wastewater are therefore obvious. In order to be able to optimally exploit the potential of this form of energy, it must on the one hand become more widely known as quickly as possible, and on the other hand it needs a few changes in the political framework conditions. Essentially, real competition is needed in the heating market, i.e. a CO2 price that evaluates and prices the environmental impact of individual energy sources. On the other hand, the disproportionate levy and tax burden on the electricity price must be reduced or fairly distributed between all energy sources. The innovations for a successful heating transition are here. What is needed now is a real and fair competition of climate protection options.

Discover the high potential of waste water heat recovery and rely on UHRIG’s experience. Contact us for a detailed consultation!Potential: Whether for heating or cooling – heat recovery from wastewater pays off in three ways, because it is economical, climate-friendly and easy to implement.

Good reasons to choose Uhrig

Sustainability & Environmental protection

Sustainable and careful action is not just a cliche for us. We make bodies of water clean again and ensure that our groundwater always remains clean.

Experience & Know how

With over 55 years of experience in civil engineering and sewer construction, we know what is important in our complete solutions which are well thought out from start to finish, so that we can hand over a project that is ready for operation.

Innovation & Engagement

There is always an adjustment, that would enable us to do even better with our products. We therefore constantly work on innovations and improvements.