CHP Helps Deliver Energy Self-sufficiency for Sewage Treatment Plant in India

Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board is an autonomous body formed by the State legislature under Bangalore Water supply and Sewerage Board Act for Water Supply & Sewage disposal. It is one of the first water supply and sanitation utilities in India with jurisdiction of entire Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike. Since its inception in the year 1964, BWSSB has executed several water supply and sewage schemes for the city, including the prestigious K&C Valley Sewerage Treatment Plant.

Long involved in the development of drinking water treatment plants, wastewater treatment plants and desalination plants in the municipal and industrial sectors, VA Tech Wabag Limited designed, built, and operates the K&C Valley sewage treatment plant with the capacity to treat 60 million liters of sewage per day.

Faced with rising energy costs associated with meeting discharge permit requirements, the treatment plant decided to harness the power of its sewage gas. In January 2018, a new sewage gas-based power plant was commissioned. The 1,067 kWe captive cogeneration plant was designed, supplied, installed, and commissioned by Clarke Energy—the authorized distributor and service provider for INNIO’s Jenbacher and Waukesha gas engines in India. Key to the power plant’s success is INNIO’s Jenbacher JGS 320 reciprocating gas engine, which uses sewage gas to generate greener power alongside 24×7 operation and maintenance services being offered by Clarke Energy.

Says Mr. Rajiv Mittal – CMD & Group CEO VA Tech Wabag Limited,
“When organic material in wastewater decomposes, it releases methane. Methane offers a unique opportunity to mitigate climate change and simultaneously increase available energy supply. For our K&C Valley sewerage treatment plant, although the site conditions are harsh, INNIO’s Jenbacher gas engine efficiently and reliably converts sewage gas to power helping us reduce GHGs and associated air pollutants, offset purchased electricity and the thermal energy produced being used for meeting digester heat load”.