Sustainable Green Energy Generation From Waste Water: IoT and ML Integration

Introduction

Wastewater treatment is crucial for environmental health and public safety. The plants remove pollutants and ensure purity and cleanness’ of water, but they consume energy, causing operational costs and carbon emissions. Researchers are exploring renewable energy sources like anaerobic digestion, microbial fuel cells, and geothermal desalination. The chapter also discusses the integration of IoT in these processes for enhanced efficiency and environmental benefits. Anaerobic digestion is a technology that uses microorganisms to break down organic matter in wastewater without oxygen, producing biogas as a by-product. This process converts organic waste into biogas, which can be used as a renewable energy source for electricity generation and heat production. Implementing anaerobic digestion in wastewater treatment plants not only manages organic waste but also recovers valuable energy, reducing reliance on non-renewable resources(Llácer-Iglesias et al., 2021).

Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) are a promising technology for sustainable energy production from wastewater. They use microorganisms' metabolic activities to generate electricity, allowing continuous electricity generation. MFCs have potential in wastewater treatment systems, offering simultaneous pollutant removal and energy recovery. Research aims to improve MFC performance and scalability for practical applications. Geothermal desalination is an innovative approach that combines geothermal energy with desalination processes, converting seawater or brackish water into freshwater. This approach offers high energy efficiency and reduced dependence on fossil fuels, addressing freshwater scarcity and generating renewable energy simultaneously(Chandrasekhar et al., 2020).

IoT technology improves bioenergy generation efficiency by enabling real-time monitoring, data collection, and analysis of parameters in anaerobic digestion, MFCs, and geothermal desalination systems. Operators can remotely monitor process variables, identify issues, and optimize energy production and water treatment efficiency(Boopathi & Myilsamy, 2021; Haribalaji et al., 2021; Sampath et al., 2022). IoT-based control and automation systems offer improved operational management, reduced energy consumption, and predictive maintenance, leading to cost savings and environmental benefits. This chapter explores anaerobic digestion, microbial fuel cells, and geothermal desalination technologies for sustainable energy generation from wastewater. It discusses the benefits and challenges of integrating IoT for efficient resource utilization and resource optimization. Understanding these innovations can lead to a more sustainable and energy-efficient future in wastewater treatment and resource recovery(Karn et al., 2021).

The development and implementation of innovative technologies for sustainable energy generation from wastewater are crucial due to growing energy demands and environmental concerns. By utilizing energy potential in wastewater treatment processes, we can reduce environmental impact and contribute to a low-carbon economy. This approach offers a way to offset energy consumption in wastewater treatment plants, reducing reliance on external energy sources and minimizing operational costs and carbon emissions. Sustainable wastewater energy generation diversifies the energy mix, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and environmental impacts. It also offers energy security and resilience by decentralizing production and reducing vulnerability to external disruptions. The integration of IoT in bioenergy generation from wastewater offers potential for optimizing system performance and resource utilization. This data-driven approach enables proactive decision-making, early detection of operational anomalies, and targeted optimization strategies, ultimately improving energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness(Guo et al., 2019).

Sustainable energy generation from wastewater requires technological advancements, cost-effectiveness, scalability, and regulatory frameworks. Public awareness, policy support, and stakeholder engagement are crucial for adoption and long-term viability. Anaerobic digestion, microbial fuel cells, geothermal desalination, and IoT integration offer a promising pathway for energy-efficient and environmentally friendly wastewater management. By transforming wastewater treatment plants from energy consumers to energy producers, these technologies can mitigate environmental impacts, reduce operational costs, and contribute to a sustainable energy future(Aftab et al., 2020).