Aquatec Maxcon partnered with Yarra Valley Water to divert organic wastes that otherwise would go to landfill, using them to generate renewable energy.

Our tailored Waste-to-Energy facility generates enough electricity to power Yarra Valley’s neighbouring Aurora Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) and Recycled Water Plant (RWP), with surplus electricity exported to the grid.

The Challenge

Yarra Valley Water sought a sustainable upgrade to reduce landfill inputs and lower operational energy costs. The goal was to harness multiple organic waste streams and convert them into usable power and heat.

Our Solution

Aquatec Maxcon designed, built, and now operate a modular waste-to-energy plant that:

• Processes an average of 100 m³ of organic waste each day
• Accepts organic waste that is sourced from a diverse range of feedstocks;
  • Grease Trap Waste (GTW), from local businesses such as cafes, supermarkets, fast food, etc
  • Food manufacturing waste such as process upsets, or other noncompliance that requires disposal of material
  • Fruit / Vegetables from various markets in Metropolitan Victoria.
  • Paunch, stomach content of cattle in meat production.
• Maintains consistent digester / gas generation performance with our team of skilled operators, and process controls in place via PLC / SCADA system.

Technical Highlights

• Anaerobic Digesters
  • The fed biomass breaks down in the absence of oxygen, producing a methane-rich biogas
• Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
  • Biogas produced by the Anaerobic Digestion process is converted into both electrical and thermal energy. With electrical energy that is excess to maintaining operations being exported to the grid.
• Odour Management
  • State-of-the-art treatment ensures all odours are captured and neutralized.
• Environmental Compliance
  • Operates under a strict EPA Works Approval to protect air, water and soil quality.
  • NATA-accredited laboratories are used to ensure compliance with EPA license.

Key Benefits

• Reduced landfill volumes and disposal costs
• Stable, on-site renewable power and heat supply
• Revenue from gate fees (receival of waste substrates)
• Revenue from excess electricity exports
• Scalable design for additional treatment plants

Ongoing Operations & Support

Aquatec Maxcon delivered a fully commissioned facility and has provided full operations and maintenance support for the site since its 2016 go live date. AQM has been fully committed in ensuring peak performance and seamless integration with existing infrastructure.