Graphical Abstract Figure

Innovative Photovoltaic-Aeration Integration: Enhancing Energy Efficiency and Grid Stability in Wastewater Treatment

Graphical Abstract Figure

Innovative Photovoltaic-Aeration Integration: Enhancing Energy Efficiency and Grid Stability in Wastewater Treatment

Close modal

Abstract

This paper presents a detailed investigation into enhancing the energy efficiency of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) by integrating photovoltaic (PV) systems, emphasizing power flow analysis and experimental validation. Recognizing the substantial energy demands of aeration processes in WWTPs, this study proposes an innovative integration of PV panels with aeration tanks. This approach generates renewable energy and optimizes energy use through the thermal interaction between the PV panels and the aeration tanks. Key findings demonstrate a 15% overall increase in energy efficiency and a 5% improvement in PV efficiency due to aeration-induced cooling, along with a reduction in voltage fluctuations by up to 30% during high-demand periods. Additionally, the integration offsets approximately 20% of the WWTP's total energy consumption. The research is structured into two main components: a comprehensive power flow study using digsilent powerfactory and a laboratory experiment to validate the integration's effectiveness. The power flow analysis evaluates the electrical impact of PV integration on the WWTP's power grid, focusing on scenarios such as load fluctuations, grid disturbances, and the synchronization of PV generation with plant energy needs. The simulation results indicate that the integration significantly enhances the stability and efficiency of the plant's electrical system, reducing reliance on traditional energy sources. Concurrently, a laboratory experiment explored the practical effects of integrating PV systems with aeration tanks. The experiment demonstrated that the cooling effect provided by the aeration tanks leads to increased PV efficiency and notable energy savings. These experimental results align with the simulation findings, confirming the efficacy of this integrated approach. This study introduces a novel methodology for integrating renewable energy technologies into industrial processes, showcasing the potential for significant energy savings and improved operational efficiency in WWTPs. Future research will focus on scaling this integration strategy and assessing its long-term impacts on energy efficiency and wastewater treatment effectiveness.

References

1.
International Energy Agency
,
2023
, “Renewables 2023: Analysis and Forecast to 2028,” https://www.iea.org/reports/renewables-2023, Accessed November 9, 2024.
2.
Solar Energy Industries Association
,
2021
, “Solar Industry Research Data,” https://www.seia.org/solar-industry-research-data, Accessed November 9, 2024.
3.
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
,
2020
, “U.S. Solar Photovoltaic System and Energy Storage Cost Benchmark: Q1 2020,” https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy21osti/77324.pdf, Accessed November 9, 2024.
4.
Nourin
,
N. F.
,
Abbas
,
A. I.
,
Qandil
,
M. D.
, and
Amano
,
R. S.
,
2021
, “
Analytical Study to Use the Excess Digester Gas of Wastewater Treatment Plants
,”
ASME J. Energy Resour. Technol.
,
143
(
1
), p.
012104
.
5.
Fang
,
H.
,
Ma
,
J.
,
Du
,
T.
,
Chen
,
Q.
,
Chen
,
H.
,
Tong
,
W.
, and
Wang
,
Y.
,
2022
, “
Performance Evaluation of an Improved Unglazed Photovoltaic and Thermal Hybrid System
,”
ASME J. Energy Resour. Technol.
,
144
(
10
), p.
101303
.
6.
Sainthiya
,
H.
,
Garg
,
N.
, and
Beniwal
,
N. S.
,
2021
, “
Optimization of Interval-Based Back Surface Water Cooling for Photovoltaic/Thermal Systems
,”
ASME J. Energy Resour. Technol.
,
143
(
2
), p.
024502
.
7.
Singh
,
S.
, and
Singh
,
S.
,
2024
, “
Advancements and Challenges in Integrating Renewable Energy Sources Into Distribution Grid Systems: A Comprehensive Review
,”
ASME J. Energy Resour. Technol.
,
146
(
9
), p.
090801
.
8.
Dubey
,
S.
,
Sarvaiya
,
J. N.
, and
Seshadri
,
B.
,
2013
, “
Temperature Dependent Photovoltaic (PV) Efficiency and Its Effect on PV Production in the World—A Review
,”
Energy Procedia
,
33
, pp.
311
321
.
9.
Hoseinzadeh
,
S.
, and
Garcia
,
D. A.
,
2022
, “
Numerical Analysis of Thermal, Fluid, and Electrical Performance of a Photovoltaic Thermal Collector at New Micro-channels Geometry
,”
ASME J. Energy Resour. Technol.
,
144
(
6
), p.
062105
.
10.
Saxena
,
A.
,
Bansal
,
B. K.
, and
Tiwari
,
G. N.
,
2016
, “
Enhancement of Photovoltaic Modules Efficiency With Water Cooling
,”
Energy Rep.
,
2
, pp.
107
112
.
11.
Ibrahim
,
T.
,
Abou Akrouch
,
M.
,
Hachem
,
F.
,
Ramadan
,
M.
,
Ramadan
,
H. S.
, and
Khaled
,
M.
,
2024
, “
Cooling Techniques for Enhanced Efficiency of Photovoltaic Panels—Comparative Analysis with Environmental and Economic Insights
,”
Energies
,
17
(
3
), p.
713
.
12.
Meraj
,
M.
,
Khan
,
M. E.
, and
Azhar
,
M.
,
2020
, “
Performance Analyses of Photovoltaic Thermal Integrated Concentrator Collector Combined With Single Effect Absorption Cooling Cycle: Constant Flow Rate Mode
,”
ASME J. Energy Resour. Technol.
,
142
(
12
), p.
121305
.
13.
Maghrabie
,
H. M.
,
Mohamed
,
A. S. A.
,
Fahmy
,
A. M.
, and
Abdel Samee
,
A. A.
,
2023
, “
Performance Enhancement of PV Panels Using Phase Change Material (PCM): An Experimental Implementation
,”
Case Stud. Therm. Eng.
,
42
, p.
102741
.
14.
Abdelsalam
,
E.
,
Alnawafah
,
H.
,
Almomani
,
F.
,
Mousa
,
A.
,
Jamjoum
,
M.
, and
Alkasrawi
,
M.
,
2023
, “
Efficiency Improvement of Photovoltaic Panels: A Novel Integration Approach with Cooling Tower
,”
Energies
,
16
(
3
), p.
1070
.
15.
Alnawafah
,
H.
and
Harb
,
A.
,
2021
, “
Modeling and Control for Hybrid Renewable Energy System in Smart Grid Scenario—A Case Study Part of Jordan Grid
,”
Proceedings of 12th International Renewable Energy Congress (IREC)
,
Hammamet, Tunisia
,
Oct. 26–28
, pp.
1
6
.
16.
Harb
,
A.
,
Alnawafah
,
H.
, and
Alalwan
,
M.
,
2022
, “
A Case Study of Jordanian Power Grid Stability and Sustainability with and Without an External Grid Tie Line
,”
Proceedings of 13th International Renewable Energy Congress (IREC)
,
Hammamet, Tunisia
,
Dec. 13–15
, pp.
1
6
.
17.
Zenouzi
,
M.
,
Naman
,
Y.
, and
Kowalski
,
G.
,
2025
, “
Integration of CHP With Renewables and Energy Storage for Reducing Carbon Emission in Transition Pathway Towards Carbon Neutrality
,”
ASME J. Energy Resour. Technol. Part A
,
1
(
1
), p. 012001.
18.
Milani
,
S. J.
, and
Bidhendi
,
G. N.
,
2024
, “
Biogas and Photovoltaic Solar Energy as Renewable Energy in Wastewater Treatment Plants: A Focus on Energy Recovery and Greenhouse Gas Emission Mitigation
,”
Water Sci.Eng.
,
17
(
3
), pp.
283
291
.
19.
Qandil
,
M. D.
,
Abbas
,
A. I.
,
Al Hamad
,
S.
,
Saadeh
,
W.
, and
Amano
,
R. S.
,
2022
, “
Performance of Hybrid Renewable Energy Power System for a Residential Building
,”
ASME J. Energy Resour. Technol.
,
144
(
4
), p.
041301
.
20.
Al Nawafah
,
H.
,
Kada
,
C.
,
Habash
,
O.
,
Abdel Hadi
,
A.
, and
Amano
,
R. S.
,
2024
, “
The Experimental Integration of Photovoltaic Systems With Aeration Tanks in Wastewater Treatment
,”
Proceedings ASME 2024 Power Conference
,
Washington, DC
,
Sept. 15–18
, p.
V001T06A002
.
21.
Al Nawafah
,
H.
, and
Amano
,
R. S.
,
2023
, “
A Novel Approach to Integrating Photovoltaic Technology With Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs)
,”
Proceedings of the ASME 2023 Power Conference
,
Long Beach, CA
,
Aug. 6–9
, p.
V001T01A005
.
You do not currently have access to this content.