Exploring the Ajdovščina pilot with Borut Lazar from Algen

Last month, the NAMOR consortium visited the Ajdovščina Wastewater Treatment Plant in Slovenia. Representing a significant milestone for decentralized water management in Central Europe, the site is now preparing for the installation of a cutting-edge Advanced Expandable Algae-Bacteria System (EABS).

In a recently recorded interview during the project’s General Assembly in Slovenia, Borut Lazar, from AlgEn (Algal Technology), shared his enthusiasm for the pilot’s unique modular design. Watch the full interview here.

“As part of the NAMOR project, we are installing a wastewater treatment site based on algal technology systems,” said Lazar. “It is a hybrid system. We will research how much support we can gain from the algal system to diminish the costs of classical SBR (Sequencing Batch Reactor) technology.”

Addressing Urban Water Pressures
Peri-urban and semi-rural communities across Europe often struggle with inadequate small-scale treatment systems that cannot handle seasonal population changes or mixed effluent sources. The NAMOR solution addresses these challenges through:

  • Modular Scalability: Using container-based mobile units and inflatable ponds (up to 100m²) that can be quickly deployed and adapted to local needs.

  • Low Energy Demand: Leveraging the natural symbiotic relationship between algae and bacteria to reduce the need for energy-intensive mechanical aeration.

  • Digital Optimization: The pilot will integrate real-time sensors and a “Digital Twin” AI system to ensure the treated water meets strict reuse standards regardless of climate variability.

A Circular Future
Beyond water purification, the Ajdovščina pilot focuses on “resource recovery.” The algae biomass produced during the treatment process is intended for use in biogas production and high-quality compost, closing the loop on local waste management.

The Slovenian demo case serves as the first of several NAMOR pilots across different climate zones, validating the robustness of microalgae-based solutions in temperate Central European conditions.

Published On: July 20, 2026Categories: News