AIX-Net-WWR, 1st alliance and strategy meeting of the Aachen network for wastewater reuse
AIX-Net-WWR, the “Aachen Network for Waste Water Reuse”, is a network that wants to “give waste water new life” - not just once, but again and again.
After a selection process lasting several years, the Aachen-based business and research network AIX-Net-WWR was able to prevail alongside numerous other applications and started on January 1, 2024 to develop innovative solutions for the reuse of wastewater over the next three years. The approximately €12 million project, which focuses on the Aachen city region, is being funded by the RUBIN (“Regional Entrepreneurial Alliances for Innovation”) program under the “Innovation & Structural Change” heading of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).
The first AIX-Net-WWR alliance meeting took place on November 6, 2024 in the digitalHUB, Aachen.
AIX-WWR
A decentralized membrane bioreactor container plant (MBR) is being developed to treat domestic wastewater and close the water cycle. Drafts of the process diagram, 3D model and a model for heat recovery have been created. Components are currently being selected for the container plant, which is scheduled to go into operation in March 2025.
Current situation and goals
Most cities today have a centralized water supply and wastewater disposal system. However, this has a number of disadvantages, especially in water-scarce regions, such as decreasing water supplies with increasing water demand and the loss of valuable materials, especially in the form of water and heat (approx. 55 m³ water/person/year and approx. 550 kWh/person/year) for direct recycling at the point of wastewater generation. In many central wastewater treatment plants, the wastewater is also insufficiently treated for possible reuse, depending on the size of the connection, so that the remaining substances contribute to increasing water pollution.
In the AIX-Net-WWR city of the future, there should be standardized, semi-decentralized wastewater reuse systems at district level with innovative individual technologies that address the problems mentioned. Semi-decentralized means that several buildings are connected to one system. The advantages of semi-decentralized systems lie in particular in the close spatial linking of wastewater generation and treatment. This enables the direct reuse and utilization of the treated water and the energy present in the wastewater directly at the place where the wastewater is produced, and this is optimized both ecologically and economically.
When designing the semi-decentralized treatment plants, AIX-Net-WWR set itself the following goals:
- the possibility of treating wastewater to produce different qualities of water, such as bathing water, irrigation water, process water, hygiene water and drinking water
- the use of the systems in the construction of new residential areas, but also for the conversion of existing structures with the involvement of local supply and disposal companies
- a modular and scalable design and
- the cost-effectiveness of the systems within a few years by saving the core resources of water and energy and standardizing the systems
The innovative individual technologies within the standardized systems should also be able to treat industrial and commercial wastewater, thus enabling individualized solution models.
Progress in the five joint projects
At the 1st alliance meeting, the progress of the joint project, which consists of five joint projects, was reported on. In summary, these are
AIX-SOLVED
A biofunctionalized adsorber granulate for the removal of heavy metals and pharmaceuticals from wastewater is being developed. Granules have been successfully produced and characterized. Initial trace substance removal tests have been completed. The current focus is on selecting suitable enzymes and peptides.
Strategic topics and future steps
During the event, the partners discussed market conditions, technology paths and operator models in order to market the developed solutions optimally. Other focal points included implementation and success planning as well as overcoming the shortage of skilled workers.
In interactive world cafés, the partners presented their technologies, discussed challenges such as cost-effectiveness, sustainability and longevity of the systems and promoted exchange with associated partners.
The alliance is open to further associated partners who wish to actively support the project.
The common goal is to make AIX-Net-WWR a leading network for water reuse worldwide and to give wastewater a new life. We look forward to your participation!
SAVE THE DATE!
Our next alliance meeting will take place on November 6, 2025 in Aachen and we look forward to welcoming you then. If you are interested, please register here aixnetwwr@intewa.de
Author: Oliver Ringelstein, INTEWA GmbH