A wastewater treatment plant west of Adelaide, Australia, is using stale beer to generate biogas, which in turn can power up to 1,200 homes.

Water utility SA Water’s Glenelg Wastewater Treatment Plant combines old beer with sewage sludge.

The wastewater plant has been repurposing 150,000 liters of expired beer every week… As a result, the plant has seen renewable energy generation boosted to 654 megawatt hours in a single month.

The plant generated a record 355,200 cubic meters of biogas in May and another 320,000 cubic meters in June, according to Energy Live News.

Glenelg’s co-digestion program adds high strength organic waste from industry to sludge from the sewage treatment process.

Harnessing the power of biogas through our onsite gas engines creates renewable energy for the treatment plant and a sustainable alternative for industrial waste that’s otherwise difficult to dispose of and treat.

The wastewater treatment facility normally generates enough biogas to power around 80% of its energy needs.

It’s also a shame for the hospitality and beer industry to be struggling like this, but at least the stale beer has been put to good use.