The data collected over the long-term operation of the main-, side- and downstream SMARTechs, along with the SMART-Products characteristics, were elaborated during the last year of the project. Analyses, digital solutions, impact assessment on water tariffs, surveys and marketing activities demonstrated the sustainability and the added value of the SMARTechs and SMART-Products from a technical, environmental, social and economic point of view.
Technical added value: the majority of the main and side-stream SMARTechs fully demonstrated their capacity to reduce cost for sludge disposal, energy demand and carbon footprint, while resulting in energy efficiency and energy, nutrients and other materials recovery (such as cellulose and biopolymers). SMART-Plant validated digital support tools/systems for: (i) real-time monitoring of energy demand and GHG emissions during process operation (ii) support decision on the optimal configuration of a WWTP. Concerning the SMART-Products chemical safety, various analyses have been performed to investigate the concentration of pesticides and heavy metals of recovered materials , the agronomic value of recovered nutrients , the quality and characterisation of the consumer and/or industrial products obtained. These data can contribute to the progress of scientific research and to the decision process of utility managers and policy makers,
Environmental added value: SMART-Plant validated energy efficient water treatment technologies, able to extract and valorize valuable resources available in used water and develop new consumer and/or industrial products. The high recovery rates of the SMARTechs contribute to comply with tight nutrient discharge limits in effluent water. The SMART-Plant approach is contributing to a green and circular economy and to a long-term sustainable society, recovering new raw materials to be used for different industrial sectors. The results show that material recovery can reduce the overall energy demand and GHG emissions considerably (i.e. up to -70%),and provide operational savings at the WWTP, such as reduced aeration energy, less chemicals, or a lower sludge amount to be disposed.
Social and legislative added value: Large part of the SMART-Plant efforts were dedicated to overcoming social and legislative barriers and evaluate public attitude towards nutrients and materials recovered from wastewater. Several dissemination, stakeholder and public engagement activities were aimed to increase the awareness of the environmental benefits deriving from the uptake of water reuse and resource recovery schemes. In general, relevant legislative barriers are still in place (such as the end of waste status, the lack of harmonized European regulatory framework). However, encouraging and tangible results were reached by SMART-Plant in terms of policy support at national and European level, both directly and through the participation to EU stakeholders platforms activities.
Economic added value: The economic sustainability of most of the SMARTechs was demonstrated by OPEX savings from reduced volume of sludge to be treated, reduced energy consumption and operational efficiency. In addition, proper national/local regulatory framework can support sustainable and circular solutions, such as the SMARTechs, and incentive water utilities by benefits in the water tariff. Consultancy, feasibility studies, full-scale design activities and replications are already ongoing and will provide a solid proof of economic sustainability of the technologies.
