UK utility used TDG to improve carbon efficiency in its wastewater plants

The Transcend Design Generator (TDG) offers solutions for asset owners and utilities in capital planning. It streamlines the creation of engineering documentation for infrastructure assets, enhancing control over the process and reducing total ownership costs.

Key features include assessing multiple design options for sustainability and resilience, automating design generation for existing and new assets, and optimizing project development costs.

Here, we introduce a specific use case for TDG for utilities looking to improve their carbon efficiency.

A UK wastewater utility, amidst its asset management cycle, is focused on reducing the carbon impact of its assets, including embedded carbon. This initiative is motivated by regulatory environmental commitments and increasing energy costs.

Asset Management Engineer: Focused on the long-term planning and sustainability of infrastructure assets.

Process Engineer: Recommended process enhancements for increased efficiency and lower carbon footprint.

Regulatory Compliance Manager: Ensured adherence to environmental regulations related to carbon

The Asset Management Engineer analysed the CAPEX and OPEX for current wastewater treatment processes and included embedded carbon.

The Process Engineer evaluated the efficiency of existing treatment stages and equipment.

The Regulatory Compliance Manager communicated with the Ofwat, the UK regulatory agency, to understand the specifics of carbon regulations.

Using TDG, they examined various scenarios for carbon-efficient wastewater treatment, including:

• Advanced anaerobic digestion for enhanced energy recovery and reduced sludge volume.
• Upgraded aeration systems for more energy-efficient operations.
• Equipment with lower embedded carbon for infrastructure improvements.

• Accelerated analysis and decision-making process by 40% using TDG for scenario evaluation.
• Identified strategies that significantly reduced the embedded carbon footprint, including bringing back technologies like Trickling Filters which were used in decades prior.
• Achieved goals for cost savings and compliance with environmental regulations through carbon-efficient upgrades, incorporating anaerobic digestion and aeration system updates in key wastewater plants within the utility’s asset base.

The utility will continue to use TDG to innovate and adapt its wastewater treatment processes, focusing on further reducing carbon impact and staying aligned with evolving environmental regulations. This proactive approach ensures ongoing improvements in sustainability and operational efficiency.