The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s (SFPUC) Southeast Treatment Plant will upgrade its technology to convert wastewater byproducts into renewable, decarbonized energy.
Veolia, through its water technologies and solutions business unit, earned a $34 million contract to supply biogas as part of the technological upgrade for the plant.
Built in 1952, this facility is undergoing a $3 billion modernization that will transform it from a traditional wastewater treatment plant into a state-of-the-art resource recovery center, converting wastewater byproducts into renewable, decarbonized energy for local communities.
Veolia, a water technologies manufacturer, will implement its innovative MemGas™ system to purify raw biogas from the plant’s anaerobic digestion process to biomethane, a pipeline-quality renewable natural gas ready for injection into Pacific Gas & Electric’s grid.
The project will provide 100% beneficial use of the biogas generated at the Southeast Treatment Plant. At full capacity, it will produce enough renewable energy to offset the natural gas needs equivalent to approximately 3,800 homes (68 GWh/yr). The system is expected to be operational by June 2027.
“This project fulfills our commitments for beneficial use of the biogas generated at the Southeast Treatment Plant, supports California’s state goals for in-state production and distribution of renewable natural gas, and aligns with the City’s sustainability objectives,” said Daniela Brandao, Senior Project Manager, SFPUC, in a statement. “We are excited to see the positive impact this project will have on our community and the environment!“
The Southeast Treatment Plant processes approximately 80% of the city’s combined stormwater and wastewater, treating an average dry weather flow of 45 million gallons (170,300 cubic meters) of wastewater daily. This upgrade will capture the biogas produced during wastewater treatment and upgrade it through state-of-the-art gas conditioning and separation processes.
This initiative will create a renewable energy source while reducing GHG emissions of 31,000 metric tons CO2e/annually.