Energy & Resource Recovery from Wastewater for Circular Economy

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Northern Periphery and Arctic

Date of latest update: 2025-09-24

Description

Description (EN):

ENFORCE aims to develop a resource efficient wastewater management model that will reduce water and environmental footprint of wastewater treatment provisions in the region to ensure sustainability. Innovative and sustainable solutions are necessary for reducing carbon footprint and transition to a circular and resource-efficient economy. Wastewater is recognized as a renewable energy resource, and the source of many other nutrients that can be recovered and can contribute to achieve circular economy targets. However, current wastewater treatment plants & management practices in the region are not efficient enough to recover energy and nutrients that wastewater contains. The partially treated or untreated discharge of effluent into the environment becomes an environmental hazard which is exacerbated by climate change impacts. Circular economy principles can be implemented in wastewater treatment in the form of re-cycle, re-use, nutrients recovery, and energy recovery. This provides energy and locally available resources (e.g. potential for Nitrogen and Phosphorous to offset fertilizer imports) and for reduced environmental impacts through reduced N and P discharges. Efficient use of the wastewater resources, power consuming wastewater treatment plants can be converted into future energy generation hubs and resource recovery plants. This can provide business and economic opportunities to communities (many are quite small & remote) within the region. The project will conduct an analysis of the current provisions and legal framework within the region. Different technologies for energy and resource recovery from wastewater and value chain will be studied. The LCA, techno-economical, social, assessment of the overall value chain will be conducted and compared to existing practices of discharging wastewater to surface waters. Based upon the evaluation a circular business model to transform wastewater treatment plants into resource recovery water hubs will be proposed.

Actual Achievements (EN):

At this stage the project is in its initial data gathering phase. We delivered the first deliverable regarding the existing wastewater management practices within the NPA region of Faroe Island, Ireland, and Northern Norway. The information on the size of the treatment plants, technologies used, energy consumption, discharge quality is collected which is essential to assess the potential of implementing circular economy in the wastewater. There are gaps within the existing wastewater management scenarios and the policies in the three regions. It is observed that advanced wastewater treatment is not yet a norm in the region. In Northern Norway and Faroe Islands only mechanical treatment is considered adequate for treating sewage water before discharge. The next stage will be analyzing the potential of implementing circular economy in wastewater. The project has successfully finished Work Package 1 and activities are on-going to complete Work Package 2. With this report we are submitted Deliverable 1.2 - Circular Economy Assessment in Wastewater Management in the NPA regions covered by the partnership. This deliverable is an on-going document which will be updated as progress is made. In particular, With the change of partner in the Faroe Islands the information for this region will be upgraded. Based on this report, recommendations to move further towards the approach of circular economy in wastewater management in the region have been given below. - Develop and maintain resilient wastewater treatment infrastructure that can adapt to a variety of weather conditions and climate changes, ensuring consistent operational efficiency. - Increase funding for circular economy practices in wastewater treatment. Encourage both public and private sector investments in sustainable technologies. - Establish stringent regulatory standards for effluent water quality. Invest in cutting-edge technologies to improve water purification processes and enable the reuse of treated water in agricultural or industrial applications. - Perform cost-benefit analyses to balance initial investments with long-term savings and consider modular technologies that allow for scalable expansions. Build infrastructure to support the distribution of treated wastewater for non-potable uses, promoting sustainability by closing the loop in the water cycle. During RP3 the partnership have been active in WPs 1 and 2. All partners worked collaboratively to shape and unify the report resulting from RP1 (Deliverable ..........). Our new partner in the Faroe Islands, The Environment Agency, who are active from RP3 are reviewing and updating the information provided for the Faroe Islands during year 1 of the project. When this new information is completed we will have benchmarked all of the study regions in our project. WP2 all partners are preparing inputs for the case studies in each region to be reported in RP4. Faroe Islands have involved the representatives of four (4) municipalities to provide them with information regarding current WW management provisions and procedures and information relating to future improvement plans. UiT hosted a 2-day event, Vanndammen, for water industry and businesses and ENFORCE was presented which led to meetings with regional stakeholders (Narvik Vann, Lofoten Kommune, Narvik Kommune, industry representative Huber Technology, based in Honefoss, that provides wastewater solutions. A follow up meeting with Huber Technology is being planned for end May 2025. Arctic Experts focused on all the wastewater infrastructure and management in the Bodo region of Norway, especially with the help of Bodo Kommune they received and reviewed official drainage masterplan up to and including 2026. They have identified and prioritised the sites in the Norwegian region suitable for circular economy scenario modelling.

Project outputs: Organisations cooperating across borders(EN)
Case-studies (1 in each country) modelling resource recovery upgrade scenarios vs the existing discharge models(EN)
Findings for transnational recovery opportunities(EN)
Framework for decision-making for upgrading WWTPs to enable resource recovery(EN)

Thematic information

Water management

Priority: (VI-B_NPaA_2) Strengthening the capacity for climate change adaptation, and resource sufficiency in NPA communities

Priority specific objective: RSO2.6. Promoting the transition to a circular and resource efficient economy

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO2 A greener, low-carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy and resilient Europe by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, risk prevention and management, and sustainable urban mobility

Type of intervention: 072 Use of recycled materials as raw materials compliant with the efficiency criteria

Partners (4)

Lead Partner: UiT Norges arktiske universitet

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 999874643

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 970 422 528

Department: Faculty of Engineering Science and Technology

Address: PO Box 6050 Langnes, N-9037 Tromso, Norway

Department address: Lodve Langes Gt, 8514 Narvik, Norway

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.uit.no

Total budget: EUR 449 427.80

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 224 713.90

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 50.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 224 713.90

Umhvorvisstovan

Name: Umhvorvisstovan

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 101022892

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 405388

Address: Traoagota , 165 Argir , Faroe Islands

Legal status: public

Organisation type: National public authority

Website: https://www.us.fo/english/

Total budget: EUR 244 850.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 159 152.50

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 65.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 85 697.50

Arctic Experts

Name: Arctic Experts

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 893532088

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 924961600

Address: Urtegårdsgata , 8005 Bodø , Norway

Legal status: private

Organisation type: SME

Website: http://www.arctic-experts.com

Total budget: EUR 271 100.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 135 550.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 50.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 135 550.00

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20

Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh

Name: Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh

Department: School of Engineering

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 999978045

Partner’s ID if not PIC: IE0022578J

Address: University Road, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland

Department address: University Road, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.nuigalway.ie

Total budget: EUR 333 235.07

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 216 602.79

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 65.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 116 632.28

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

The Environmental Agency

Energy & Resource Recovery from Wastewater for Circular Economy

Partners and Projects info

Arctic Experts

Energy & Resource Recovery from Wastewater for Circular Economy

Partners and Projects info

University of Ireland Galway

Energy & Resource Recovery from Wastewater for Circular Economy

Partners and Projects info

UiT The Arctic University of Norway

Energy & Resource Recovery from Wastewater for Circular Economy

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Energy & Resource Recovery from Wastewater for Circular Economy

Project acronym: ENFORCE

Project ID: NPA0100045

Project start date: 2022-12-01

Project end date: 2025-11-30

Project status: closed

Relevant linked projects:

SPRING (Horizon 2020): (EN) | UiT is coordinating this project on wastewater management and technology development. The goal of SPRING is to develop a low energy and cost-effective treatment technology and effective governance in the water sector for Indian scenarios. ENFORCE will adapt the research output and evaluate the feasibility of the bio oxidation technology developed for the NPA regions. UiT also develops MFC technology for wastewater treatment and simultaneous power generation. (EN), Algae (Forprosjekt – RFFNORD) (EN) | UiT conducted this feasibility study funded by RFFNORD that involved identification and characterization of Algae in Ofoten region and their potential uses as useful products. In the follow up project funded under MABIT program, UiT optimized the cultivation of conditions for microalgæ, extraction processes and verified the economic viability at pilot scale . ENFORCE will utilize the output to develop a value chain for potential products from wastewater sector in the context of CE. (EN), INNOQUA (H2020) (EN) | NUI has contributed in this project to develop integrated individual low cost, sustainable and biologically-based solutions for complete water treatment cycle. The solutions have multiple modular configurations that can be adapted to local contexts and markets. NUI will use the knowledge gained and results in the tasks of ENFORCE particularly technology adaptation for NPA regions. (EN), B-WaterSmart (EU) (EN) | Objectives of this project are similar to ENFORCE, which is to build a water-smart society and economy. The pilot case in this project focused on specific problems in six European coastal cities in Belgium, Germany, Italy, Norway and Spain. ENFORCE will follow the publications and information shared by this project and will examine for adaptation for NPA regions. (EN), Life Green Saver (EU): (EN) | The main objective of LIFE GREEN SEWER is the pilot-scale implementation of a new secondary wastewater treatment, that will be applicable to both municipal and industrial waters. The idea is to reduce energy demonstrated in this project and study their feasibility in NPA regions. (EN), The One Health Education and Research (NORAD funded by the NORHED II Programme (Norwegian Programme for Capacity Development in Higher Education and Research for Development) (2021-2026) (EN) | This is a capacity building project to develop education and research in the context of One health approach that includes maintaining environmental health through a better waste and wastewater management. The scientific will from this project will be considered in ENFORCE for adaptation in NPA region. (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 1 298 612.87

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 216 602.79

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 65.00%

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 216 602.79. Co-financing rate, 65.00%.
ERDF equivalent: Amount, EUR 159 152.50. Co-financing rate, 65.00%. Sources, FO.
ERDF equivalent: Amount, EUR 360 263.90. Co-financing rate, 50.00%. Sources, NO.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

Report on the climate footprint of WWTP in NPA regions
Driver and barriers for implementing CE in wastewater in NPA region
Stakeholder Workshop
WWTP characterization report
Report on assessment on Discharge Scenarios
Case-study models for overall impacts under various CE scenarios
2nd Stakeholder Workshop
Academic and industry publications
Impact analysis report
Design of a business model for CE in waste water
Dissemination activities

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EuropeanGreenDeal Key features of European Green Deal are no net emissions by 2050 and decoupling economic growth from resource use. This project contributes to these by developing circular economy framework of reusing and recovering nutrients (like P, N) from waste water. It will lead to new industry, jobs etc. The quantity of wastewater discharge into waterways will be minimized and improved discharge quality will conserve environment. Energy efficient and energy positive plants will help cut emissions.
Other The project will contribute to overall clean waterways in the region. Currently, many pollutants due to modern health and cleaning products, and synthetic clothes like plastic microfibers and micro beads, etc are entering into waterways and then into the food chain to affect human health.
ENFORCE technologies will be cost effective for small WW operators and municipalities so that all wastewater is treated to standards for a healthier marine life and cleaner lakes and seas.
AtlanticStrategy ENFORCE will contribute significantly with respect to 2 key areas (i) Protect, secure and enhance the marine and coastal environment and (ii) Create a socially inclusive and sustainable model of regional development. Indirectly the local reuse of resources from wastewater and furthermore will contribute to local economies. WWTPs offer opportunity for linking to wind and solar power in terms of demand response (i.e. being most active when renewable power is most available)

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:
RCR 079 - Joint strategies and action plans taken up by organisations, Measurement unit:

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Northern Periphery and Arctic

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2025-09-24

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

65 / 65 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

310 / 310 (100%)

Notes on the data

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Energy & Resource Recovery from Wastewater for Circular Economy

Description

Thematic information

Partners (4)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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