Interview on the Innovative Decentralised Wastewater Treatment at Greek Demo Site

In a new interview, the NAMOR project features its second demo case, located at the Lagada Wastewater Treatment Plant in Central Macedonia, Greece. Led by Sotiris Pasios, a chemical engineer and collaborating researcher for the Center for Research & Technology (CERTH), the site is currently validating a hybrid treatment system specifically designed for warm-climate zones and decentralized municipal needs.

The Greek demo site utilizes an advanced hybrid photobioreactor system that integrates microalgae-bacteria co-cultivation with membrane filtration and a moving bed bioreactor. This innovative approach takes advantage of the complex biological interactions between microalgae and activated sludge. The primary objective is to produce high-quality effluent while significantly lowering the energy footprint typically associated with conventional wastewater treatment.

Regional challenges such as rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and limited space for large-scale infrastructure have made the need for localized, efficient treatment solutions urgent in the Mediterranean. The Lagada site addresses these issues by deploying NAMOR’s digital twin and AI-powered Decision Support System. These digital tools allow for the real-time monitoring of nutrient concentrations and turbidity, ensuring optimal performance under high light intensity and temperature conditions.