Flexible To Your Needs

Direct Ownership or ESCO Model

We designed the system so that the construction and the operation can be carried out separately. We can support you during the whole process in various roles. Our experts help you from the planning phase up to the operation as well as maintenance of the system.

While in the past, owners preferred  to finance the system themselves, recently we have seen an increased need for an ESPC/ESCO-based or third-party-funded solution.

Indicative Values* Based on Live Installations:

  • Energy cost savings can go above 70% compared to traditional, fossil-based heating/cooling systems.
  • Return on investment is 2-5 years, based on system size and other factors.
  • The average investment expense is estimated to be 1 million EUR for a 1MW size system. However, due to economies of scale , the cost/MW significantly decreases as the size of the system increases. The initial investment cost for a 4MW system is approximately 2,8 million EUR (depending on different factors).
  • The total project implementation duration, (including planning, obtaining permits, and construction) can be as low as 5-7 months.

For optimal implementation: include the THERMOWATT solution from the planning phase of the building.

For optimal implementation: include the THERMOWATT solution from the planning phase of the building.

Optimal setup

The Ideal Project

To optimize the placement of the system elements, we highly recommend including the THERMOWATT solution already in the design/planning phase of the building.

The system’s maximum potential can be exploited if the location is close to the main sewage line, preferably in/or near the city center, or dense residential area (min 100.000 inhabitants).

Size is an important factor: large buildings with continuous heating and/or cooling energy needs (e.g. hospitals, hotels, shopping malls, data centers, etc.) benefit from significant savings potentials.

Implementation can be completed within 5-7 months due to the short planning and permission phase.

Patented in 37 countries

Framework

Financial and Legal Background for THERMOWATT Projects

  • Based on the RED II 2018 EU directive, sewage heat is a renewable energy source. Therefore, projects based on this technology qualify for EU financial support and other benefits – like any other renewable energy project (e.g., solar or wind).
  • The energy source (wastewater in the sewage system) is NOT derived from exploiting natural resources. Therefore, the availability of the energy source is independent of any third party and has no limitations in quantity or geographical availability.
  • The system is highly scalable and applicable both in residential and industrial areas. The technology can be integrated into an existing heating facility or established as part of a greenfield project.

Technical Innovations Supporting the
Business Case

  • No applications installed inside the sewer, but a bypass is built – more control over the flow and increased equipment protection.
  • Larger energy demands can be accommodated for.
  • Compact size, can be built entirely underground or overground – versatile placement opportunities.
  • Installation in city centers and dense residential areas is also possible.
  • Devices (screening, heat exchange, heat storage) designed specifically for operating in wastewater environments.
  • Only high-durability materials used – long life expectancy (decades for the specifically manufactured system components, 10-15 years for the heat pumps).
  • System elements are optimized and harmonized.
  • Specific software developed for easier operation:

    • remote supervision (24/7)
    • alarm for system-irregularities
    • adjustments to meet end users’ requirements.
  • The technology is verified in multiple installations (1-4 MW heat power), with over five years of operational experience.
  • The “Method and Circuit Arrangement for Recovering Heat from Wastewater” is under granted patent protection in 37 countries.
  • Implementation can be completed within 5-7 months due to the short planning and permission phase.