In This Article:
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Veolia’s innovative biogas upgrading technology will help transform San Francisco's largest wastewater facility into a renewable energy producer.
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State-of-the-art MemGas™ membrane technology will convert biogas into pipeline-quality renewable natural gas, providing 100% beneficial use of the biogas generated at the Southeast Treatment Plant and at full capacity, will produce enough renewable energy to offset the natural gas needs equivalent to approximately 3,800 homes (68 GWh/yr).
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The project demonstrates the circular economy in action, supporting San Francisco's decarbonization goals while creating a sustainable local energy source.
TREVOSE, Pa., May 14, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Veolia, through its Water Technologies & Solutions business unit, has earned a $34 million contract to supply biogas upgrading technology for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s (SFPUC) Southeast Treatment Plant. Built in 1952, this crucial facility is undergoing a $3 billion modernization that will transform it from a traditional wastewater treatment plant into a state-of-the-art resource recovery center, converting wastewater byproducts into renewable, decarbonized energy for local communities.
Veolia, the world leader in water technologies, will implement its innovative MemGas™ system to purify raw biogas from the plant’s anaerobic digestion process to biomethane, a pipeline-quality renewable natural gas ready for injection into Pacific Gas & Electric's grid. The project will provide 100% beneficial use of the biogas generated at the Southeast Treatment Plant and at full capacity, will produce enough renewable energy to offset the natural gas needs equivalent to approximately 3,800 homes (68 GWh/yr). The system is expected to be operational by June 2027.
Daniela Brandao, Senior Project Manager, SFPUC, shared: "This project fulfills our commitments for beneficial use of the biogas generated at the Southeast Treatment Plant, supports California’s state goals for in-state production and distribution of renewable natural gas, and aligns with the City’s sustainability objectives. We are excited to see the positive impact this project will have on our community and the environment!"
"This transformative project showcases how cities can create truly circular systems that not only meet performance criteria but generate clean, renewable energy from what was once considered waste," said Anne Le Guennec, Senior Executive Vice President for Worldwide Water Technologies at Veolia. "The SFPUC exemplifies environmental leadership by creating a sustainable energy source right in their backyard, setting a powerful example for cities worldwide. This project is a concrete demonstration of our GreenUp strategy in action, perfectly embodying Veolia's ecological transformation objectives through its focus on decarbonization and circular solutions. By converting waste into renewable energy, we're showing how our innovative technologies can drive the ecological transformation for a sustainable future."