Water plant to turn waste fat into energy

A wastewater treatment plant in Lafayette, Indiana has undergone major renovation work to enable it to convert fats, oils and grease into energy.

The scrap food will be provided by Purdue University and is expected to significantly reduce the plant's overall operating and maintenance costs as well as cut the carbon footprint of the community.

Dave Henderson, utility director for the City of West Lafayette, Indiana, said the renovations will mean the plant can capture methane gas and use it to produce electricity through two new microturbines.

"The methane gas will generate between 20 to 30 pre cent of the total electricity needed to operate the plant processes. An added plus is that grease hauliers will pay tipping fees for dumping their grease and this will generate revenue," he added.

Meanwhile, environmental experts from around the world are set to gather later this month at the Futuresource 2009 exhibition in London, where topics such as wastewater, resource management and recycling will be discussed.