• ABB released its “Energy Transition Equation” series of reports — The Water Industry Report (Chinese version), showing how automation and digitization can help wastewater treatment companies reduce carbon emissions by up to 2,000 tons per year

• Research conducted by ABB shows that 8.56 billion cubic meters of additional wastewater treatment capacity and 469 additional wastewater treatment facilities will be needed globally annually to meet the UN water targets by 2030

• Early integration of technologies to improve wastewater treatment efficiency is a top priority

Today, ABB released the first report in the Energy Transition Equation series – the Water Industry Report (Chinese version). The report highlights the huge role technology can play in reducing carbon emissions in the water sector and implementing the energy transition to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. In addition, research conducted by ABB shows that 8.56 billion cubic meters of additional wastewater treatment capacity and 469 additional wastewater treatment facilities will be needed globally each year to meet the UN water targets. That’s according to independent research conducted by ABB ahead of World Water Day on March 22, 2023.
As the United Nations prepares to report on its progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS), ABB focused on SDG Target 6.3. SDG 6.3 refers to improving water quality by 2030 by reducing pollution, eliminating waste dumping, minimizing the discharge of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater, and substantially increasing global waste recovery and safe reuse. UN data also show that around 2.2 billion people worldwide lack chronic access to safe drinking water and nearly 4.2 billion do not have access to safe sanitation.

However, wastewater treatment requires a lot of energy, with the entire wastewater treatment industry consuming approximately 3% of total global energy output and producing more than 1.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

“This study shows that we still need to do more to help meet UN water targets and accelerate the solution to water scarcity.” “Said Brandon Spencer, president of ABB’s Energy industry. “But to achieve the wastewater targets, we need to do it in the most energy-efficient way possible to achieve sustainable development. Technology will play a key role in this.”

While improving wastewater treatment capacity is a priority, it is also critical to integrate technology early to improve plant efficiency. ABB’s automation, electrification and digitization solutions are helping to monitor, analyze and manage wastewater treatment plant operations. Combined with measurement and control solutions that collect and transmit large volumes of operational and diagnostic data, ABB systems are helping to optimize resource efficiency and reduce energy consumption.