Sludge for UK Biogas Plants

René van der Bruggen, CEO Imtech: 'In the UK, limited investment opportunities due to the economic crisis have resulted in fierce competition. Imtech has responded to this situation by focusing strongly on high-tech solutions, partnering and on unique knowledge at the intersection of waste water treatment and energy. The new order confirms Imtech's strong position in the UK water treatment market. As part of its growth strategy 2015, Imtech is currently investigating the possibilities for exporting this knowledge to other European countries.'

In the UK, Imtech has become a specialist in the treatment of biosolids, the by-product of sewage and wastewater treatment. By treating, cleaning and enriching the sludge in a sustainable manner (also known as Advanced Anaerobic Digestion), it can be recycled as biofuel. The process - popularly known as 'from sludge to energy' - takes place in innovative biogas plants. Together with partner Galliford Try, Imtech offers virtually unique total solutions. Recently constructed biogas plants for Anglian Water and Welsh Water in Cardiff and Afan are among the most efficient plants in the UK. These plants generate over 6MW of sustainable electricity, which is utilised on the wastewater treatment works, with the excess energy returned to the grid. Partly on the basis of these successful references, Northumbrian Water awarded Imtech the order for new biogas plants in Howdon.

For Northumbrian Water, Imtech and Galliford Try will build a new biogas plant at the waste water treatment works site in Howdon in the north-east of England. The total treatment capacity will be over 40,000 tonnes of bio solids per year. Both partners are jointly responsible for the design, engineering, construction, commissioning and optimisation of the plants, which will generate over 4MW of electricity per year. The plant will become operational in September 2012.