Wessex Water to launch trucks powered by sewage, food waste
Wessex Water trucks powered by sewage and food waste will hit UK roads this summer.
Each truck converted from diesel to biomethane achieves a carbon saving equivalent to removing more than 100 cars from the road.
Following in the footsteps of Bristol’s famous ‘poo bus’, which was the first in the UK to powered by biomethane, the new heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) run on bio-CNG and are helping to reduce Wessex Water’s carbon emissions and fuel costs.
Bio-CNG can either be derived from liquefied natural gas or the by-product of the decomposition of organic matter. All fuel used in these HGVs comes from the anaerobic digestion of sewage and food waste at Bristol Bioresources and Renewable Energy Park.
“The tankers collecting sewage sludge for treatment and the trucks delivering the output fertiliser are both powered by the gas generated from this treatment, so we’re closing the loop when it comes to our recycling,” said Sean Hill, Wessex Water’s director of bioresources.
“This will make a huge difference to our carbon footprint and help improve the air quality of communities in our region, as well as improving operational efficiency and bringing cost benefits.
“Two vehicles have been purchased initially and we hope to eventually roll out the use of bio-CNG across our entire tankering and biosolids fleet.”
Bio-CNG can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 84%, as well as nitrous oxide emissions by up to 75%. The trucks are also much quieter than their diesel equivalents.
Wessex Water is the first water and sewerage company to transport both sludge and biosolid fertilisers using vehicles powered by gas from the waste it is treating.
Each truck converted from diesel to biomethane achieves a carbon saving equivalent to removing more than 100 cars from the road.
Following in the footsteps of Bristol’s famous ‘poo bus’, which was the first in the UK to powered by biomethane, the new heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) run on bio-CNG and are helping to reduce Wessex Water’s carbon emissions and fuel costs.
Bio-CNG can either be derived from liquefied natural gas or the by-product of the decomposition of organic matter. All fuel used in these HGVs comes from the anaerobic digestion of sewage and food waste at Bristol Bioresources and Renewable Energy Park.
“The tankers collecting sewage sludge for treatment and the trucks delivering the output fertiliser are both powered by the gas generated from this treatment, so we’re closing the loop when it comes to our recycling,” said Sean Hill, Wessex Water’s director of bioresources.
“This will make a huge difference to our carbon footprint and help improve the air quality of communities in our region, as well as improving operational efficiency and bringing cost benefits.
“Two vehicles have been purchased initially and we hope to eventually roll out the use of bio-CNG across our entire tankering and biosolids fleet.”
Bio-CNG can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 84%, as well as nitrous oxide emissions by up to 75%. The trucks are also much quieter than their diesel equivalents.
Wessex Water is the first water and sewerage company to transport both sludge and biosolid fertilisers using vehicles powered by gas from the waste it is treating.
