Project description
Time to green wastewater treatment plants
Wastewater treatment plants are associated with greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for approximately 1-2 % of global emissions. It’s necessary to make them greener and more sustainable. With this in mind, the EIC-funded VARIO project will develop the world’s first system capable of real-time monitoring of greenhouse gases (nitrous oxide and methane) and chemical pollutants in wastewater treatment plants. By harnessing the power of advanced sensor technology like mass spectrometry and cutting-edge data-driven models powered by AI, the project automatically measures relevant substances and adjusts the aeration system of multiple basins, all through one analyser. This results in a 50 % reduction in emissions and savings of up to 20 % on energy and chemical consumption.
Objective
Wastewater treatment plants are major contributors of greenhouse gasses emission and responsible for 1-2% of emissions worldwide. VARIO “emission control” is the first system that enables online monitoring of greenhouse gases (nitrous oxide and methane) and chemical pollutants in wastewater treatments plants. The VARIO solution measures relevant substances automatically and adjusts the wastewater plants aeration system via AI models. The technology combines sensorics (mass spectrometry) and data driven models (AI), for adjusting wastewater treatment process parameters. It does this in multiple aeration basins with one analyzer via its multiplexing capabilities to save costs for operators. By using VARIO the benefits for wastewater treatment plants are: 20% costs saving for energy and chemical consumption, as well as a tremendous reduction of emissions by up to 50%. For society, these savings are equivalent to millions of vehicles off the street or a 25% reduction in airline travel.
Fields of science
Keywords
Programme(s)
- HORIZON.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC) Main Programme
Topic(s)
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-EIC-ACC-BF - HORIZON EIC Accelerator Blended FinanceCoordinator
70563 STUTTGART
Germany
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.