Water and Energy - Draft Report of the GWRC Research ... - IWA

Organisation: TZW - Germany
Contact person: Sebastian Sturm
Email address: sturm@tzw.de
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Ongoing projects
Overview of TZW activities regarding the topic water & energy that may result in conflicts
between renewable energy production and protection of water resources
Renewable raw materials/biogas plants and water pollution control – evaluation from the
point-of-view of the water supply - DVGW project # W 1/03/05
The European Union strives to increase the quota of renewable energy on the primary energy
consumption. Thereby the greenhouse gas emissions shall be reduced and the dependency of the
EU on energy imports shall be decreased as well. In Germany, this political target caused a rapid
growth of the power-generation from biogas and an increase in bio fuel production. This
development and the strong rise of grain crop prices are associated with an intensification of
agriculture, resulting in a growing hazard potential for the drinking water resources and the water
supply due to the use of fertilizers and pesticides. Another risk may result out of the agricultural
use of fermentation residues of biogas plants. Depending on the type of co-substrates like waste
grease, slaughter waste or composting bin wastes, fermentation residues may contain heavy
metals or organic trace contaminates like pharmaceuticals or other substances, which have a
potential to accumulate in the soil or to leach into the groundwater. The ongoing TZW project
investigates possible risks for the water utilities but also the chances for protection of the
drinking water resources. If, for example, aspects of an appropriate crop rotation are taken into
account, the cultivation of energy crops can help to reduce the nitrate levels in groundwater. Also
the use of herbicides can be reduced under certain circumstances. Project duration 7/2006 to
3/2008
Sustainable production of fermentation gas (biogas) and feed into gas distribution network
- Evaluation of long-term effects on soil, plant, air and water - DVGW project # GW 1/01/07
The total process chain from the biomass production to generation of Substitute Natural Gas
(SNG) will be considered in the context of sustainability. Project duration 1/2008 to 12/2008
Geothermal power and groundwater protection - current TZW activities
The increasing number of geothermal drillings in some areas in Germany poses another threat to
groundwater quality, especially in water protection areas. So water utilities have to keep an eye
on the development in this energy related topic as well. Water suppliers have to warn other
stakeholders if the groundwater resources face new possible hazards. TZW participates in the
relevant German technical committee on standardization and a scientific panel to reduce the risks
of groundwater contamination.
GWRC Water & Energy - Draft report
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