One of the world’s largest microbial fuel cell reactors is set to expand even further

The project developed at the Step de Sion by Professor Fabian Fischer of the School of engineering will continue its development over the next four years. The wastewater purification system, which uses microbes grown in batteries to produce electricity and purify water, will continue its development, thanks in part to support from the Confederation (OFEN) and academic project partners HE-Arc, The Ark, HES-GE, and Supsi.
After four years of testing, the system has become one of the largest developed and the longest-running of all large-scale deployed systems. The initial project is now entering a second stage for an additional four years, with the implementation of much larger new units, with a capacity of 200 to 300 liters, compared to the current 16 liters. The construction of these units represents a major challenge in terms of architecture and materials, as there are no other infrastructures anywhere else that meet the project’s needs.
In terms of efficiency, this method of wastewater purification represents a significant advance over traditional methods. According to Professor Fischer’s team, it is currently about 81-87% more energy-efficient than conventional wastewater purification methods. Not only does it allow for the production of electrical energy, but it also saves energy by using natural catalysts and reducing the energy consumption needed to purify wastewater. In addition to energy efficiency benefits, this wastewater purification method also offers a sustainable way to treat wastewater.