This year Fukuoka City will begin adopting power generation systems that use renewable energy at some of its sewage treatment and water purification plants. The systems in the sewage treatment plants will harness methane gas from the sewage, while those at the water purification plants will be hydroelectric. The power generated will be used for lighting and other equipment in the facilities. The City aims to boost energy self-sufficiency in its plants amid rising uncertainty surrounding electricity rates.
One facility, the Wajiro Sewage Treatment Plant (Higashi Ward), already has one methane gas-driven generator. In the past, conventional gas engines were too large to be installed in smaller facilities like Wajiro, but recent advances in downscaling allowed the plant to install its first engine in 2010. The City plans to add four new engines at Wajiro. The facility currently uses 600,000 kW/h of power annually, and the City plans to generate about 10% of this on site for an estimated cost savings of ¥1 million. The City will install solar panels at the new Saibu Water Purification Plant (Nishi Ward) that is under construction and due open within the fiscal year. The Waterworks Bureau will also spend ¥160 million to install a small-scale hydroelectric generator at the Otogane Water Purification Plant in Onojo with the aim of generating 15% of the plant’s annual required power on site. Source: Nishinippon Shimbun, Feb. 6
