Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Fact Sheet Series: Wastewater Treatment Plants

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) require a reliable source of electrical power, as power outages can lead to spills that cause health and sanitation issues in local communities. WWTPs that use anaerobic digesters produce methane-rich biogas, which is often burned for heat or flared away, but this byproduct can instead be used as a fuel source for a combined heat and power (CHP) system. CHP installations fueled by this onsite source allow WWTPs to fulfill their electricity needs without relying on the grid, making these plants more resilient and cost-effective.