Sewage is now being used to power a heating system at the Scottish Borders Campus in the Scottish Borders.

The UK’s first SHARC energy recovery system was launched yesterday at the campus in Galashiels.

Backed by investment from Equitix and the UK Green Investment Bank, the SHARC heat recovery system intercepts waste water from a sewer close to the local treatment works operated by Scottish Water.

The system uses a heat pump to amplify the natural warmth of waste water and the heat produced is being sold to Borders College under a 20-year purchase agreement, producing savings in energy, costs and carbon emissions.

The system now provides around 95% of the heat needed by the Galashiels campus and does not impact on the normal operation of the local waste water network.

Russ Burton, CEO of SHARC Energy Systems, said:

“We are delighted to see the first UK installation of the SHARC system up and running at Borders College. This has been an extremely important project for us in the UK and Europe, and we have seen a lot of interest in the system elsewhere."

Scottish Water Horizons, a subsidiary of the public utility, has played a key role in turning the project into reality.

Alan Scott, Scottish Water’s Finance Director, said:

“The UK’s first sewage to heat scheme in Galashiels is an excellent example of how water resources can be harnessed and maximised, furthering the development of Scotland’s low carbon economy.

“Scottish Water Horizons is delighted to have played a leading role in turning this initiative into reality. With 32,000 miles of sewer pipes throughout Scotland, we’re exploring the potential for this approach to be replicated at other locations, offering further environmental and heating cost benefits.

“This initiative builds on our work to use Scotland’s water resources to help generate renewable energy, through the likes of hydro power schemes, helping to reduce costs and build an increasingly sustainable Scotland.

Geoff Jackson, Chief Executive Officer, Equitix, said:

“To be investing in this innovative yet practical technology which can deliver a remarkable reduction in carbon emissions, is at the heart of Equitix’s mission to invest in long-term sustainable solutions to climate change. We have partnered with an elite counterparty whose expertise lies in the sector and we are thoroughly excited about the next phase of projects, delivering similar such systems across Scotland."

Launched in June 2014, SHARC Energy Systems is a UK organisation specialising in sewage heat recovery technology that is a sustainable alternative energy source.

Unique in the UK and Europe, the system generates energy-saving, cost-effective and environmentally-friendly solutions for heating, cooling and hot water for commercial and residential buildings.

SHARC Energy Systems is a wholly owned subsidiary of International Wastewater Systems Inc., and its technology is developed by its parent company based in Vancouver, Canada.

The waste water technology system was developed by the founding team of technical and engineering professionals who have over 100 years combined experience in the heating, ventilating and geo-exchange industries. The system utilises a unique clog-proof raw sewage filtration system and Heat Exchange technology that conducts the heat from untreated waste water.

SHARC Energy Systems brings the technology to the UK for the first time and provides a full design, manufacture and installation service.

The SHARC system is suitable for both new build and retrofit projects on residential and commercial developments.

It was announced in June 2015 that SHARC Energy Systems had secured a £4million investment from Equitix and the UK Green Investment Bank plc (GIB) to finance the installation of the SHARC sewage heat recovery system under heat purchase agreements.