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Wastewater treatment produces more than just treated water. It also generates biosolids and biogas valuable resources that can be recovered and reused. 

At South East Water, we are exploring ways to transform these by-products into renewable energy and high-value materials as part of our circular economy and emissions reduction strategy.

From waste to renewable energy 

Biogas is produced during the breakdown of organic matter in wastewater treatment processes. We capture and use this gas in combined heat and power (CHP) systems to generate renewable electricity. 

Beyond energy recovery, we are supporting research into advanced applications that convert biosolids and biogas into hydrogen and carbon-based materials. 

Hydrogen from biosolids 

In partnership with RMIT University, researchers have developed a patented process that converts biosolids into biochar, a carbon-richmaterial that can act as a catalyst for hydrogen production from biogas. 

The process: 

  • Converts biosolids into biochar 
  • Uses that biochar to split methane-rich biogas into hydrogen and solid carbon 
  • Prevents carbon from being released as carbon dioxide 

This approach has the potential to: 

  • Produce low-emissions hydrogen 
  • Capture carbon in stable solid form 
  • Reduce reliance on fossil-fuel-based hydrogen production 

Why this matters 

Conventional hydrogen production is often reliant on natural gas and associated emissions. 

Developing pathways to produce hydrogen from wastewater by-products supports: 

  • Emissions reduction 
  • Resource recovery 
  • Circular economy outcomes 
  • Innovation within the water sector 

From research to real-world application 

South East Water has supported a pilot-scale investigation of this technology to assess its feasibility for wastewater treatment applications. 

While still in development, this research demonstrates how wastewater treatment plants could evolve into resource recovery hubs producing renewable energy, advanced materials and potentially hydrogen. 

Circular economy in action 

Biosolids have traditionally been used as soil conditioners in agriculture. However, innovation in thermal conversion and materials science is opening new pathways for higher-value reuse. 

By investing in research and partnerships, we are exploring how to extract maximum value from unavoidable by-products while reducing emissions across our operations. 

Related information

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