The global issue of water scarcity has brought an increasing interest in urban wastewater (UWW) utilisation for various purposes. Renewable energy-based integrated systems reduces overall energy demand, system cost and emissions, and significantly improves overall efficiencies and hence output generation rates.
Agriculture is the main water consumer in many Member States, accounting for around 33% of average water use. Reuse of appropriately treated UWW has been an important source for irrigation as it is a potential nutrient source for crops and reduces fresh water demand. On the other hand, several emerging pollutants along with pathogens may be present in secondary treated UWW and eventually may pose a risk in the food chain. Source of bacterial contamination is identified as UWW containing agricultural water and it induces a contamination risk in vegetables. New treatment technologies are to be undertaken for safe use of reclaimed UWW.
This project aims to bring a solution to water and energy issues by achieving an optimised and energy free disinfection of UWW using novel solar assisted-treatment technologies for production of safe food and clean energy with reduced water footprint. We specifically aim to integrate PEC (photoelectrocatalytic)-based hydrogen production with ED (electrodialysis) process and PV/T (photovoltaic-thermal) system to optimise energy usage from solar source and to regenerate wastewater for agriculture.
*At the time of the proposal. Please consider this data as an accurate estimate; it may vary during the project’s lifespan.
Total costs include in kind contribution by grant holders and can therefore be higher than the total requested funding.