04/12/2025
Title: Sludge2Energy – Pyrolysis of Dried Sewage Sludge for the Production of Energy and Biochar, as a Multifactor Process for Energy Efficiency and Reduction of Gas Emissions
Funding Institution: Interreg NEXT MED Programme — Specific Objective RSO2.1 (Promoting energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse-gas emissions).
Principal Investigator HMU/ELKE: Prof. Thrassyvoulos Manios (https://agro.hmu.gr/en/academic-staff/manios-thrassyvoulos-professor/)
Staff HMU/ELKE: Prof. Thrassyvoulos Manios
Start date: 05.09.2025
End date: 04.09.2028
Project Description
The Sludge2Energy project aims to address key challenges related to the management of sewage sludge generated by wastewater treatment plants in the Mediterranean region. These challenges include: the high energy consumption and associated economic costs of sludge management; the spread of organic pollutants through the direct application of sludge to agricultural soils; and growing environmental concerns related to these practices.
The project proposes to valorise sewage sludge—previously dried through solar drying—as an energy and environmental resource through the use of pyrolysis, a process that simultaneously produces energy (heat and electricity) and biochar. Biochar can then be used as an agricultural soil amendment and as a tool for carbon sequestration.
The project builds on the widespread use of solar drying as a preliminary sludge treatment step in the Mediterranean region. This already common practice, aimed at reducing moisture content and disposal costs, provides a solid foundation for the integration of pyrolysis as an innovative and shared solution.
Objectives
· Reduce the environmental and health impacts of sewage sludge management.
· Introduce and promote the use of pyrolysis to convert dried sludge into energy and environmental resources.
· Foster the production of renewable energy from local waste materials.
· Produce biochar for agricultural use and for stable carbon sequestration.
· Support the transition from a linear sludge management model to a circular and sustainable approach.
Expected Results and Impacts
· Environmental: reduction of surface and groundwater pollution due to decreased direct application of sludge to soil; carbon sequestration through biochar; overall reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
· Energy-related: generation of renewable energy from non-conventional sources; reduced energy consumption linked to sludge handling and disposal.
· Social and health-related: decreased public health risks, especially regarding the spread of contaminants such as pharmaceutical residues, bacteria, and antibiotic-resistant genes.
· Economic: lower sludge disposal costs; creation of new value chains for waste recovery; development of replicable and adaptable solutions for similar contexts throughout the Mediterranean region.
Partners: Hellenic Mediterranean University (Coordinator, Prof. Thrassyvoulos Manios); Università Niccolò Cusano (LEAD PARTNER, IT), Participatory Development Solutions (EGY); Larnaka Sewage and Drainage Board (CY); Royal Scientific Society (JO); Aqaba Water Company (JO); Dokuz Eylul University - Environmental Engineering Department (TR); Water and Sewerage Administration General Directorate (TR).
Budget: 2.800.600 € (HMU/ELKE: 227.000,00 €)
website: https://www.interregnextmed.eu/project-page/sludge2energy/about/
Funding statement: Sludge2Energy is co-funded by the European Union under the Interreg NEXT MED Programme. Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Interreg NEXT MED Programme authorities.
Managing sewage sludge is becoming a serious environmental and public health challenge in the Mediterranean. As more wastewater is treated, larger amounts of sludge are produced, often still applied to soil, spreading pollutants like pharmaceuticals, microplastics, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria....
