Unitywater Sewage Waste to Energy Feasibility Study
Summary
The Unitywater Sewage Waste to Energy Feasibility Study project will assess the commercial viability of converting Unitywaters Kawana sewage treatment facility on the Sunshine Coast to generate biogas and electricity from a variety of waste sources.ARENA commissioned Beca to investigate the potential for water sector specific funding in Australia. The Opportunity for Renewable Energy in the Australian Water Sector Report identifies bioenergy in waste water treatment as an investment priority, highlighting the need to support activities that demonstrate the viability and overcoming barriers to co-digestion of different waste feedstocks for anaerobic digestion.Biogas and power generation technology is mature at large scale wastewater treatment plants; however this study seeks to address economic barriers to implementing waste to energy at small to medium sized waste water treatment facilities.Bioenergy and energy from waste technologies are not widely deployed in Australia. With rising landfill fees and falling technology costs, there is significant potential for new investment in the urban waste industry.