The Szczecin Water Supply and Sewage Company (ZWiK), in the Polish region of Zachodniopomorskie, is to start production of clean, green electricity. As part of a programme of works to modernise local sewerage and water networks, the company is installing a water-driven turbine at its Pomorzany production plant. The turbine will generate power using a 30 m drop in the water flow from a nearby lake.
- 27 August 2020
To produce green energy we used gravitational water flow in the existing water pipeline connecting Miedwie Lake and City of Szczecin.
The new turbine has a capacity of around 140 kW and is capable of generating at least 800 MWh of electricity every year. As a result, ZWiK is expecting to reduce its need to purchase electricity, leading to annual energy savings of around PLN 350 000.
ZWiK is the second water supply company in the country to use such a turbine for electricity production. It has experience in the production of clean and ecological electricity. In 2019, about 20 % of the electricity ZWiK needed to operate was obtained from renewable energy, including solar power and biogas generated in the wastewater treatment process. By using the generator turbine, this ratio will increase to 23 %.
Phased working
The turbine installation is part of a wider scheme being undertaken in two phases. Phase one, which is to be completed by December 2021, includes construction of a 23.91 km sewerage network, modernisation of a 6.81 km sewerage system, and replacing 0.98 km of water mains.
Works includes modernisation of the Zdroje wastewater treatment plant, decommissioning of the Płonia wastewater treatment plant and the purchase of two cars with equipment for cleaning sewerage networks. In addition, phase one provides for the implementation of three intelligent management systems for water and sewerage networks, and modernisation of the Górny Brzeg and Białowieska pumping stations.
Network overhaul
Phase two, which includes installation of the water turbine, is scheduled for completion in December 2022. Other works include modernisation of the Miedwianka water supply main in Szczecin, replacement of the water supply network in Cisowa Street and expansion of the water supply network on Jodłowa-Santocka Streets.
In addition, a 1.92 km long sanitary sewerage system is being constructed in Przestrzenna Street. A measurement campaign and update of the geographic information system database in the field of sewage management is being carried out.
Natural gas installation works are being undertaken for Pomeranian Voivodeship. Plus, the sanitary and rainwater sewerage network on the border of Dobra and Gmina Szczecin city is being reorganised, including liquidation of the existing wastewater treatment plant in Mierzyn.
A sewage pumping station and a 1.66 km-long pressure pipeline will be constructed, the sludge processing node will be expanded and the necessary technical infrastructure installed, in the Pomeranian forest district in Szczecin.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Clean Water And Energy Szczecin” is EUR 44 802 065 (PLN 204 293 394), with the EU’s Cohesion Fund contributing EUR 21 231 159 (PLN 96 808 988) through the “Infrastructure and Environment” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “Environment and resource efficiency”.