UK gas-to-grid project will use biogas to generate electricity

Thames Water, the United Kingdom’s largest water and wastewater company, has announced a gas-to-grid project at its Mogden Sewage Treatment Works, Bioenergy Insight reports.

The project, the company’s second gas-to-grid initiative, will use sewage sludge to heat homes in West London. Sewage sludge is a byproduct of the sewage treatment process, and it can be digested to produce biogas. Using combined heat and power engines, the sewage treatment facility can use that biogas to generate electricity.

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A similar initiative at Deephams Sewage Treatment Works in North London, which converts biogas into biomethane to heat homes in Enfield, served as the blueprint for the Mogden project, according to the report. The gas-to-grid plant will be managed by gas supplier SGN, Horley, England.

“Both Deephams and Mogden Sewage Treatment Works have set a remarkable example for environmental stewardship and innovation,” says Anna Boyles, head of catchment for Mogden, in a release from Thames Water. “The successful transformation of biogas into biomethane, heating homes across London, not only shows the dedication of our Mogden teams and SGN to delivering this project but also marks a significant step towards reducing our carbon footprint.”

The Mogden facility serves more than 2 million customers, and the company says it has the potential to reach and supply gas to 4,000 homes in West London.