Sharc International Systems Inc. has won the Best Innovation Award at the Scottish Green Energy Awards.

The Awards, hosted by Scottish Renewables, honour the determination and creative thinking which defines new approaches to sustainable energy. SHARC and Scottish Water Horizons were nominated in the Innovation category for their ground-breaking project at Borders College, Galashiels, which was launched in 2015.

SHARC’s wastewater heat exchange system works by intercepting wastewater from the adjacent town sewer line operated by Scottish Water. SHARC™ technology extracts the natural warmth contained within wastewater and transfers the heat to the clean side of the heating system via a heat exchanger. The recovered heat is then amplified via heat pumps to generate the appropriate temperatures for use in buildings. It supplies the college campus with the majority of its annual heating and hot water demand, enabling it to save 150 tonnes of carbon per annum.

The heat produced is sold to Borders College under a 20-year purchase agreement, producing savings in energy, costs and carbon emissions.

The innovative scheme is the first of its kind in the UK and the first time the technology has been integrated with the public sewerage system. With significant potential for further roll out across Scotland, there are already several projects scheduled for completion next year.

It is the second time in a month that the project has been recognized for its positive impact on sustainability. On November 15, it won the Best Newcomer Award at the Green Gown Awards, which celebrate sustainability initiatives being undertaken in the university and college sector.