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United Utilities launch human-powered data centre scheme

The UK’s first data centre to be powered by human waste is to be built in Greater Manchester.

United Utilities is investing £10m in the storage complex, which will be at its Davyhulme sewage plant.

The treatment works already generates enough biogas to power the equivalent of 9,000 homes – and in recognition, has won a major Energy Award from the Institute of Chemical Engineers - beating off stiff competition from Switzerland, the United States and Australia.

The scheme has already put Davyhulme on the map thanks to the landmark green ‘bubbles’ which can be seen from the Barton Bridge on the M60 motorway.

These giant gas holders store the biogas generated when sewage sludge from right across Manchester is digested in a revolutionary new process.

The gas is used to power turbines on the site, generating clean green electricity, while the digested sludge is transformed into a nutrient-rich soil conditioner for agriculture. The revolutionary plant is now completely self-sufficient, which prompted UU to consider the data centre scheme when they realised there will still enough power being generated from human waste to sustain the facility.

They enlisted the help of specialists at Sudlows to design the 80 cabinet complex, with work set to start this week. It will mean almost all of UU’s data will be stored at Davyhulme.

Referring to the Energy Award, Phil Sweeney, United Utilities area business manager, said: “This is a tremendous accolade and it recognises the global significance of what we’ve achieved - it’s a clever solution to a round-the-clock waste problem and it will save money for our customers in the long run.

“Davyhulme is the birthplace of the modern sewage treatment process and next year we will be celebrating 100 years of innovation at the site. Manchester should be very proud that this pioneering spirit continues today.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .