To accelerate urban carbon reduction and improve the energy efficiency of wastewater treatment, the Water Resources Bureau of Taichung City Government traveled to Denmark to study the country’s achievements in environmental technology and circular economy development. The visit focused on the internationally recognized energy-positive technology, examining how Denmark integrates wastewater treatment with green power generation, smart management, and resource recycling. The experience will serve as an important reference for the future planning and upgrading of Taichung’s water resources recycling centers as the city continues moving toward its 2050 net zero emissions target.
The Water Resources Bureau said that during the visit, Jung-Chun Cheng, Representative of the Taipei Representative Office in Denmark, received the delegation and exchanged views with members on Denmark’s green energy, circular economy, and sustainable water resources development. He also shared local experience in promoting net zero transformation and sustainable city development, providing valuable reference for Taichung’s future policy efforts.
The Water Resources Bureau explained that wastewater treatment plants are generally high energy consumption facilities. However, Marselisborg Wastewater Treatment Plant in Aarhus, Denmark has optimized its treatment processes and makes full use of organic matter in wastewater to generate biogas for power production. The plant has not only achieved self-sufficiency in electricity use, but also supplies surplus electricity and heat to surrounding communities, successfully realizing energy-positive operations. Taichung currently has nearly 330,000 households connected to its sewer system. During the visit, the delegation also gained an in-depth understanding of how Denmark reduces energy consumption through equipment optimization and smart monitoring, while learning circular utilization technologies such as phosphorus recovery. These practices will serve as important references for the Wuri Water Resources Recycling Center and upgrades to existing facilities.
The delegation also visited CopenHill, a waste-to-energy plant in Copenhagen. In addition to high efficiency energy recovery and flue gas treatment technologies, the plant features a rooftop designed as a ski slope, hiking trail, and leisure space. It has successfully transformed the conventional image of an incineration plant and become an urban landmark that combines environmental protection, recreation, and tourism. This planning concept also offers a valuable reference for Taichung as it considers how future water resources recycling center projects can incorporate environmental education, community inclusion, and public space use.
In response to the challenges of extreme weather, the delegation also gained a deeper understanding of Denmark’s approach to blue-green infrastructure. Through facilities such as parks, flood detention spaces, and open drainage systems, rainwater is transformed into an urban resource. This not only effectively improves urban flood prevention capacity, but also delivers multiple benefits including cooling, ecology, and recreation. These experiences provide important reference value for Taichung as it continues to promote resilient city development and enhance its overall disaster prevention capacity.
The Water Resources Bureau added that Denmark has accumulated extensive experience in green energy, the circular economy, and sustainable urban development, offering valuable lessons for Taichung. In the future, the Bureau will continue to draw on successful international cases and integrate them with Taichung’s local needs, gradually applying them to water resources projects and water resources recycling center planning. This will allow wastewater treatment to serve not only an environmental protection function, but also move toward green energy production, resource recycling, and community sharing, helping build a livable city that is low-carbon, resilient, and sustainable. (7/3*10)*Water Resources Bureau
Contact: Water Resources Bureau, Taichung City Government
Contact No.: 04-22289111