Renewable Energy Case Study

Minworth STW

Client Severn Trent Water
Location Minworth STW
Value £350k - £430k

Minworth is one of the largest sewage treatment works in the UK. The average flow of final effluent is 500MLD, with a diurnal range between 4 & 7 cubic metres / second. The final effluent splits at "the shotgun" into two outfall sewers. The energy in the first outfall sewer is currently dissipated in the turbulence around a central concrete block and this represents an opportunity to channel the effluent into a low head, high volume turbine for renewable energy production.

Scope
The proposal is to build a new bypass chamber, tying the pipework in to the first outfall sewer main around the energy dissipating block chamber. This will provide approximately 3m of head differential. Adroit Construction have investigated turbine options to limit construction time and capture the maximum efficiency capable of low head and high volume. Actuated penstocks upstream of the dissipating block chamber and on the new bypass pipework will direct the flows as required.

The site has an extensive electrical distribution network with the closest cable export route located at an adjacent HV service. It is expected that the installation will export in the region of 440MW per annum to the site grid, which will be consumed on site.