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First wind turbine for sewage plant approved

12 December 2008

Plans for the first turbine to be power a sewage plant have been approved.

Thames Water's Crossness sewage treatment works (STW) is to erect a 2.5 megawatt (MW) turbine as part of its project of adaptation to climate change.

The 86 metre-high turbine will have the capacity to produce half of the sewage plant's electricity.

A spokesman for the British Wind Energy Association said: "The 2.5MW Crossness turbine will be the first wind turbine installed in the UK to specifically power a sewage treatment plant. As such it marks a growing trend amongst British businesses to generate their own energy from wind, with the option of exporting surplus energy to the grid."

The STW already generates 20 per cent of its own electricity with a sewage-sludge powered generator.

As part of the adaptation to climate change, the plant, which deals with two million people's waste, is to have its capacity expanded.

At the moment, when there are heavy downpours, diluted effluent overflows into the Thames. Boosting capacity by 44 per cent is expected to reduce the frequency of this.

The wind turbine could earn the plant above-market rate payments for the electricity it generates if it sells it to the grid, following the introduction of the subsidy in the Energy Act.

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Author: Administrator User