<h5>What kind of renewable energy source is being used?</h5><p>False Creek, a neighbourhood in Vancouver, Canada, gets most of its heat energy from an unusual renewable source: sewage wastewater. In this region, new technology is capturing heat from wastewater and using it as a renewable energy source to heat homes.</p><p>All wastewater from toilets and household activities enters the sewers. Then, it is treated at a plant before being sent for reuse. However, the heat generated by dishwashers or hot showers frequently goes unnoticed as it enters the sewer system.</p><p>Capturing heat from water in the sewage system is simple because it is enclosed. Also, the recovered heat has no smell. In comparison, heat in the air can quickly escape through windows, doors, etc. Under a Vancouver bridge, an energy centre is located above an existing sewage pumping station to capture the heat before it reaches the treatment plant.</p><h5>What do we know about the energy centre?</h5><figure class="image"><img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/newsahoot.appspot.com/o/toilet-water-used-as-renewable-energy-source%2FFacility%201.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=432a2fcc-94bb-4905-8b7a-38cd8d62d91a"><figcaption>Inside the False Creek Neighbourhood Energy Utility. Photo by City of Vancouver.</figcaption></figure><p>False Creek Neighbourhood Energy Utility (NEU) provides heating and hot water to buildings by capturing heat energy from sewage. The NEU began operations in 2010 and has quickly expanded to provide service to many residential and commercial buildings.</p><p>The NEU will be expanded to help further developments in the region.</p><h5>How does the False Creek Neighbourhood Energy Utility function?</h5><figure class="image"><img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/newsahoot.appspot.com/o/toilet-water-used-as-renewable-energy-source%2FFacility%202.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=6979d814-339f-4202-8eed-56ef5245478b"><figcaption>A photo of the False Creek Neighbourhood Energy Utility. Photo by City of Vancouver.</figcaption></figure><p>In the first step, the heat energy is captured using a heat exchange mechanism integrated with a Vancouver sewage pumping station. This accounts for 70% of the utility's total energy production. The remaining 30% of the heat comes from high-efficiency natural gas boilers.</p><p>Then, a distribution pipe system is used to send this heat energy, in the form of water, from the facility to various buildings in the area. The pipes are buried under the streets. There’s an energy transfer station in each building served by the NEU. This station transfers the heat energy to the building’s mechanical system.</p><p>This mechanical system then delivers hot water and heat to the residents. The heat from the wastewater flushed down the drain is returned to the sewers and captured again for reuse.</p><h5>Is this form of renewable energy source being used in other places?</h5><p>Many places worldwide are using this source of excess heat to help save the environment. In many towns and communities, excess heat from the sewage system is effectively recovered and reused.</p><p>In Sweden, district heating systems like False Creek's are common. In highly populated places, waste heat from various sources, including wastewater, is distributed. In Stockholm, Sweden, sewage heat is captured to generate gas that is used as bus fuel. This shows that this energy source can be used for various purposes.</p>

In False Creek, Canada, heat energy is captured from sewage wastewater.

Toilet Water Used As Renewable Energy Source

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Toilet Water Used As Renewable Energy Source

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