The project was largely in response to new discharge consents under the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, accelerating local population growth in the catchment, a requirement to reduce energy consumption and operating costs; and an increasing need to improve protection following a major flood in 2016, not to mention volatility regarding climate change. After extensive optioneering process, Scottish Water selected Nerada technology as the most suitable solution to deliver their required outcomes, becoming the first plant in Scotland to do so at full scale.
The unique Nerada process breaks sludge into granules which allow aerobic and anaerobic processes to take place simultaneously. This, and the granules’ faster settlement make treating wastewater significantly faster and more efficient, whilst avoiding the need for pumps and chemicals. This results in far less space and energy requirements to process high quantities of water, which maximises capacity and minimises emissions, water pollution & operating costs.
The benefits of Nerada are patent, however as with all new technologies it introduced new considerations and challenges to overcome.
All photographic images used in this post are stock awaiting images permissions from Scottish Water
Our involvement centred around providing an interface between the Nerada process and the PLC by designing, manufacturing, installing, and configuring two intelligent MCCs to control and monitor operations across 2 ‘Old’ & ‘New’ subsites spread across a busy railway line, alongside the provision and configuration of SCADA hardware.
Our MCC solution therefore had to pull & push data outside Scottish Water’s corporate network to Nerada IP (Royal HaskoningDHV’s Aquasuite®), however to do so (without measures) would be in breach of NIC regulations and internal IT governance. We worked with our technology partner, Siemens, to develop, configure and integrate a solution encompassing firewalls, encryption & security cells to filter/block unauthorized connections and protect systems, devices and data from cyber attack (malware & viruses) and damage.
Our MCC solution therefore had to pull & push data outside Scottish Water’s corporate network to Nerada IP (Royal HaskoningDHV’s Aquasuite®), however to do so (without measures) would be in breach of NIC regulations and internal IT governance.
We worked with our technology partner, Siemens, to develop, configure and integrate a solution encompassing firewalls, encryption & security cells to filter/block unauthorized connections and protect systems, devices and data from cyber attack (malware & viruses) and damage.
From site audit to completion and operator training & support, we delivered a fully turnkey project involving, but not limited to, the following deliverables across full mechanical, electrical & systems integration requirements:
The project was completed in Spring 2019 and has made immediate, ongoing and permanent impacts to the carbon, cost and performance efficiency of the site, alongside greatly improve the water quality of nearby river Don & Urie.
We were incredibly proud to be involved in this landmark project to support the UK’s water industry’s journey towards net zero, alongside improve cyber security and improve outcomes for both Scottish Water and the wider communities it serves.
