Bucheon-si Wins 'Energy Globe Award National Prize'... Installation of Wind Turbines on Odor Control Units at Sewage Treatment Facilities

Aerial view of Yeokgok Wastewater Treatment Plant [Photo provided by Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Bucheon City in Gyeonggi Province has been selected as the National Winner of the prestigious international environmental award, the Energy Globe Award, for its "Installation Project of Wind Turbines on Deodorizing Equipment at Sewage Treatment Facilities," which is part of a project to discover new renewable energy sources by utilizing unused sewage treatment facilities.

The Energy Globe Foundation recently informed Bucheon City of the national award selection via email, and the award certificate will be delivered at a later date.

The Energy Globe Award was established in 1999 by the Energy Globe Environmental Foundation in Traunkirchen, Austria, to present successful sustainable projects and demonstrate that feasible solutions to environmental problems are being implemented.

Every year, with cooperation from organizations such as the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the award recognizes innovative projects and smart technologies worldwide in areas including resource conservation, air and water quality improvement, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and related fields, submitted by public institutions, companies, organizations, and individuals.

The National Winner is awarded to one outstanding project from each country. In 2021, over 2,500 projects were submitted from more than 180 countries for the Energy Globe Award.

The awarded project involves installing wind turbines on the exhaust outlets of deodorizing equipment used to remove the inevitable odors generated during the sewage treatment process, producing electricity to be utilized within the sewage treatment facilities.

This is expected to reduce electricity costs, save budget, produce renewable energy, and contribute to lowering greenhouse gases as well as nitrogen oxides, which are one of the causes of fine dust.

Currently, two wind turbines are being test-operated, and research and improvements are underway to enhance power generation efficiency considering economic feasibility.

Jang Deokcheon, Mayor of Bucheon City, stated, "We are doing our best to actively respond to global environmental issues such as climate change by closely cooperating with the government and other local governments and discovering eco-friendly policies that citizens can empathize with." He added, "We are very pleased to receive the National Winner award at the prestigious international environmental Energy Globe Award in recognition of these efforts."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.