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Economic and ecological assessment of photovoltaic systems for wastewater treatment plants in China

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  • Chen, Xin
  • Zhou, Wenjia

Abstract

The number of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in China is fast growing as the country's urbanization accelerates. WWTPs, part of the high-energy-consumption industry, must use a lot of energy in wastewater treatment. PV projects in WWTPs are viable solutions for energy conservation, but PV project investors, WWTP owners, and government authorities need to conduct rigorous economic and ecological assessments. This article examines the PV potential, financial feasibility, energy savings, and emission reduction effect of large-scale WWTPs in China using the cable-supported system. Furthermore, China's total PV power potential for urban WWTPs has been assessed at 5.6 GW for the first time. According to economic feasibility analysis, 26 of the 31 WWTP-PV projects in China's various regions are economically viable. Moreover, the WWTP-PV projects can assist WWTP in reducing carbon emissions by 10%–40%. Further sensitivity analysis reveals that practically all WWTP-PV projects will be viable in the future, assuming that certain solar resource requirements are met, and appropriate investment strategies are implemented.

Suggested Citation

  • Chen, Xin & Zhou, Wenjia, 2022. "Economic and ecological assessment of photovoltaic systems for wastewater treatment plants in China," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 191(C), pages 852-867.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:191:y:2022:i:c:p:852-867
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2022.04.089
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wang, Hongtao & Yang, Yi & Keller, Arturo A. & Li, Xiang & Feng, Shijin & Dong, Ya-nan & Li, Fengting, 2016. "Comparative analysis of energy intensity and carbon emissions in wastewater treatment in USA, Germany, China and South Africa," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 184(C), pages 873-881.
    2. Yang, Junwen & Chen, Bin, 2021. "Energy efficiency evaluation of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) based on data envelopment analysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 289(C).
    3. Bey, M. & Hamidat, A. & Nacer, T., 2021. "Eco-energetic feasibility study of using grid-connected photovoltaic system in wastewater treatment plant," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 216(C).
    4. Xiong, Yu-Tong & Zhang, Jing & Chen, You-Peng & Guo, Jin-Song & Fang, Fang & Yan, Peng, 2021. "Geographic distribution of net-zero energy wastewater treatment in China," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
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