Northumbrian Water is leading an initiative called the “Green Machine,” aimed at converting algae cultivated from domestic sewage into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This innovative method not only offers a substitute for traditional jet fuel but also improves wastewater treatment processes.
With a £6.5 million investment from the water company, the project seeks to minimize environmental impacts and potentially save up to £1 million each year in treatment operational costs. The innovation hinges on algae’s ability to absorb nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater, which are then recovered and transformed into SAF, establishing a sustainable loop that benefits both the aviation and waste management industries.
Northumbrian Water is partnering with U.S.-based BrightWave and filtration experts at Liqoflux to enhance the algal wastewater treatment process. Trials for the Green Machine are anticipated to take place at the Bran Sands Treatment Works in Teesside by summer 2025.
Bran Sands serves as a significant sludge treatment center, an industrial effluent treatment site, and a gas-to-grid facility. The current treatment method produces challenging effluent, which is expensive to handle and contributes to the plant’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Northumbrian has explored the beneficial effects of microalgae to lower treatment costs and the facility’s carbon footprint, aiming to expand this concept for comprehensive treatment of digested sludge liquor.
Angela MacOscar, Head of Innovation at Northumbrian Water Group, shared her excitement about the project: “The Green Machine is poised to transform waste treatment, and we are thrilled to have initiated this groundbreaking project. Our ‘Power from Poo’ initiative, which generates green energy from leftover sludge after wastewater treatment, demonstrates our leadership in driving innovation in the industry.”
Tim Shaw, President at BrightWave, emphasized the project’s importance: “This will become one of Europe’s largest indoor algae-based projects and a prototype for future endeavors.” He pointed out how the integration of wastewater treatment, SAF production, and cost-effectiveness would make it a relevant global solution.
The UK water sector is also pursuing other initiatives aimed at converting sewage sludge into SAF. Last year, Firefly Green Fuels announced plans to construct a pioneering facility to turn sewage sludge into sustainable aviation fuel in collaboration with Anglian Water, which will supply the sludge, among other partners. This initiative marks a significant advancement toward decarbonizing the aviation industry and facilitating the shift to greener fuel options.
Source : Northumbrian Water
