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Did you already know? A renewable heat source lies beneath our cities
Wastewater is far more than just waste - it contains enormous energy potential that has remained largely unutilised until now. With the right technology, the heat contained in wastewater can be recovered and used to heat or even cool buildings. In this way, something that appears „dirty“ at first glance is converted into a clean, locally available and permanently reliable source of energy.
M&P Energy - Member of the SIERA Alliance, a specialised engineering company for sustainable energy systems, supports municipalities, utility companies and commercial customers in exploiting this potential. As part of SIERA M&P Energy combines in-depth technical expertise with commercial and regulatory know-how to deliver integrated wastewater heat recovery solutions tailored to urban infrastructure and realistic operating conditions.
How wastewater heat utilisation works
Even after utilisation, wastewater still has a temperature of around 10 to 20 °C. This energy can be recovered via heat exchangers installed in wastewater systems or near sewage treatment plants. The captured heat is transferred to a heat transfer medium and then raised to temperatures of up to around 70 °C by a heat pump, making it suitable for space heating or hot water preparation.
M&P Energy plans and realises these systems holistically and ensures that heat exchangers, heat pumps and control systems are optimised for the local wastewater flows, temperature profiles and the respective building energy requirements. Careful system integration means that wastewater heat can also be used efficiently for cooling in summer.
At its core, a wastewater heat utilisation system consists of three elements:
- Heat source: the wastewater stream from which energy is extracted
- Heat pump: which raises the temperature to a usable level
- Heat distribution and storage: that provides energy efficiently within buildings or in district heating networks
As wastewater has relatively constant temperatures all year round, such systems operate with exceptional stability and efficiency. M&P Energy utilises this advantage to develop systems with high seasonal performance factors and long-term operational reliability - an important advantage compared to other sources of environmental heat.
Potential for the heating transition
Experts estimate that in Germany alone, several million megawatt hours of heat per year could be generated from wastewater. This could cover a significant proportion - around 5 to 14 per cent - of the total heat demand in the building sector. The potential is particularly high in areas with a high population density and concentrated wastewater flows, such as cities, industrial estates and large residential complexes.
M&P Energy supports customers in realising this potential. and quantify them through structured analyses of potential. These analyses evaluate wastewater volumes, temperature levels, proximity to heat consumers and integration options with existing heating infrastructure. Based on this data, M&P Energy develops realistic and scalable concepts for municipal, commercial and industrial applications.
Wastewater heat is also an ideal supplement to district and local heating networks. As part of the SIERA Alliance utilises M&P Energy interdisciplinary expertise to integrate wastewater heat into more comprehensive urban energy concepts. This helps cities and utility companies to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and at the same time strengthen local energy autonomy.
Important advantages at a glance
- High efficiency and stability
Wastewater provides constant temperatures all year round, which enables particularly efficient operation of heat pumps and above-average seasonal performance factors. M&P Energy optimises the system layouts to make full use of these stable conditions. - Constant availability
Wastewater is generated continuously, regardless of the time of day, season or weather. This makes wastewater heat one of the most reliable renewable energy sources and a stable backbone for local energy systems that depend on M&P Energy be planned. - Significant CO₂ savings
When using electricity from renewable energies, wastewater heat utilisation can significantly reduce CO₂ emissions. M&P Energy ensures that the climate impact is measurable, transparent and in line with the sustainability goals. - No visible influence on the cityscape
As heat exchangers are installed underground in the sewer network, the above-ground infrastructure remains unchanged. M&P Energy develops space-saving solutions that integrate seamlessly into the existing urban infrastructure. - Economically attractive
The use of existing infrastructure, low space requirements and constant heat availability lead to short amortisation times - especially in municipal and commercial projects. M&P Energy complements the technical planning with detailed profitability analyses to ensure long-term financial viability. - Cooling capacity in summer
Wastewater heat utilisation systems can also provide efficient cooling. M&P Energy develops year-round energy concepts that combine heating and cooling to maximise system utilisation. - Future-proof energy supply
By reducing dependence on fossil fuels, wastewater heat strengthens resilience to volatile energy price fluctuations.
M&P Energy supports customers in setting up future-proof energy systems, that are in line with long-term climate and regulatory goals.
From analysing potential to implementation: M&P Energy's integrated approach
M&P Energy accompanies wastewater heat utilisation projects from the earliest concept phase through to implementation. The process begins with a Site-specific potential analysis, followed by a detailed economic feasibility analysis, to ensure ecological and financial sustainability.
On this basis M&P Energy Feasibility studies, which cover all technical, legal and financial aspects and provide a solid basis for decision-making. In the subsequent project planning phase, all components - from the installation of the heat exchangers to the integration of the heat pump and the system control - are coordinated to ensure efficient and reliable operation.
Due to its Membership of the SIERA Alliance Profits M&P Energy also benefits from the international exchange of knowledge and best practices, which ensures that each project reflects the latest developments in the fields of sustainable energy and environmental technology.
Turn wastewater into a strategic source of energy.
With M&P Energy - member of the SIERA Alliance you gain a partner who combines engineering expertise, economic know-how and access to a global network of sustainability experts.
Contact M&P Energy, to find out how wastewater heat recovery can decarbonise your buildings, neighbourhoods or infrastructure projects.
Find out more about SIERA and how collaborative engineering technology is shaping climate-proof cities worldwide.
Engineering For a Better Tomorrow.