Reduce energy consumption
The goal of balance sheet energy neutrality also requires the consistent saving of energy in operating sites and administrative buildings.
In 2023, Ruhrverband will be energy-neutral in the electricity sector for the first time. This means that we will generate more electricity from hydropower, photovoltaics and sewage gas than the Ruhrverband consumes.
This makes us the first water association in Germany to achieve the targets set by the German government for the year 2045. But that's not enough for us - we want to do even better.
Our goal is to become energy self-sufficient and to generate as much electricity ourselves every single quarter of an hour of the year as the Ruhrverband's plants and buildings require.
To achieve this, it is not enough to simply increase our own generation volumes. The plants and administrative buildings must also become even more energy efficient.
In the building sector, heat pumps will of course also be used. In terms of energy efficiency, heat pumps offer advantages over conventional heating systems in many cases.
Our sewage treatment plants are also continuously replacing units with more energy-efficient models. For example, the blowers used to aerate the aeration tanks and grit chambers are being replaced with energy-saving units.
Modern aeration elements in aeration tanks are characterised by an even and fine-pearl air intake.
The aeration technology in the aeration tanks also offers considerable opportunities for saving energy. Be it through the replacement of old, usually inefficient surface aerators or through process engineering changes that both save energy and improve cleaning performance.
