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WATER & WASTE TREATMENT PRESERVING PRECIOUS WATER RESOURCES
Research from ABB shows how cities can tackle water stress by reducing carbon emissions and the cost of wastewater treatment for reuse
companies reduce carbon emissions by up to 2,000 tons pa[1], the equivalent volume of CO2 responsible for 30,000 tons of glacier mass lost every year[2] • With over 50,000 existing wastewater plants
A •
worldwide and a predicted industry growth rate of over 7 percent, if scaled, the impact in tackling water scarcity and industrial carbon emissions, is vast • Average operational cost savings of up to
$1.2 million per plant[3] provides cities with an affordable pathway to treat more wastewater and reduce the amount of untreated wastewater pumped into rivers and seas ABB has published the first in a series of new
reports for the energy and wastewater sectors to highlight the impact that technology can have in enabling industrial customers to reduce carbon emissions and manage the energy transition for a more sustainable future. With the United Nations predicting a 40
percent water deficit by 2040[4], ABB has conducted research to reveal how better use of wastewater could relieve this pressure. When treated effectively, wastewater can be
returned to the water cycle for reuse, proving a valuable but often untapped resource in tackling water scarcity. Importantly, it also lowers the levels of untreated sewage pumped into rivers and oceans.
BB’s “Energy Transition Equation” report demonstrates how automation and digital technology can help wastewater
“Global data shows that only half of our
wastewater is properly treated[5],” said Brandon Spencer, President, ABB Energy Industries. “Allowing untreated wastewater back into our water courses not only has a disastrous effect on fisheries, animals, marine biodiversity, and public health, but it is also a terrible ‘waste’ of this commodity. We need to be doing more.” Treating wastewater, however, requires a lot
of power, with the industry at large consuming up to three percent of the world’s total energy output[6] and contributing over 1.5 percent to global greenhouse gas emissions.[7] Seeking to redress this balance, ABB has
conducted nine months of research and modelling with an independent economist, to demonstrate how greater adoption and integration of process automation technologies, can deliver both carbon and cost savings to enable more efficient treatment of wastewater. The findings reveal that in wastewater sites,
utilities could reduce carbon emissions by up to 2,000 tons per annum[8], the equivalent volume of CO2 responsible for 30,000 tons of glacier mass lost every year. With over 50,000 existing wastewater plants worldwide, the opportunity, if scaled, is upwards of 100 million tons of CO2 saved.[9] Furthermore, in applying a robust package
of process control and digital solutions, water companies could reap annual operational
savings of up to $1.2 million (9.5 percent) per plant, opening revenue streams to ensure higher volumes of wastewater are treated. "ABB is committed to leading with
technology to preserve precious resources such as water and energy, and ultimately enable a low-carbon society and a more sustainable world. In 2021, we have reduced our own CO2 emissions by 39% percent, compared with the baseline year of 2019, and as part of our Sustainability Strategy 2030, we are working with our customers with the aim of reducing their annual CO2 emissions by at least 100 megatons by 2030,” said Spencer. The global wastewater market, driven by
the need for more freshwater, population increase, and stringent environmental regulations, is projected to grow from $300 billion in 2022 to $490 billion by 2029.[10] The reports’ economic modelling was
undertaken by independent economist Steve Lucas of Developmental Economics[11] in conjunction with ABB Energy Industries and supported with desktop research of academic and industry sources. To read and download the report, visit
solutions.abb/energy-transition. Links to the sources can be found at
www.processandcontrolmag.co.uk/tackling -water-stress/
ABB
www.abb.com
NOVEMBER 2022 | PROCESS & CONTROL 29
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