Wastewater
is our resource
We generate renewable energy from sewage sludge. In this way, sewage treatment plants become power plants and fresh water is kept in circulation all over the world.
Revolutionary approach to energy generation from sewage sludge
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The sewage treatment plant — driving cost factor for municipalities
Wastewater treatment challenges
FAQ
What is wet biomass?
Wet biomass comprises organic waste materials with a moisture content of over 50%, such as human faeces, manure, sewage sludge, paper sludge and industrial waste. While these materials have valuable energy potential, their high water content makes processing and transportation both difficult and expensive. In addition, wet biomass causes environmental concerns due to pollutants (heavy metals and pathogens) and biological activity that produces climate-impacting gases such as methane and nitrous oxide, leading to potential explosion hazards and CO2 taxable greenhouse gas emissions.
What does sewage sludge look like in different stages?
Sludge consistency after treatment in the sewage treatment plant: From liquid sludge to “mango lassi” after the digester to “potting soil” after dewatering:
Dewatered sewage sludge consists of 18-35% dry matter (organic and mineral components) and 75% of water. A large portion of the water is within the cells and cannot be separated by mechanical processes. This consistency is typical for transport by truck. If the water content is too high, sewage treatment plants add lime (calcium oxide or hydroxide) to stabilize and dewater the sludge and make its consistency transportable.
Can your technology operate independently of a wastewater treatment plant?
Yes, absolutely. Our technology works optimally with sewage treatment plants, but can also be connected to simpler systems such as septic tanks or septic tanks, provided that they have drainage systems. The only requirement is a dry matter content of 23%. Once this value is reached, our solution can process most types of wet biomass.
What effect does Shit2Power have on the legally required phosphorus recovery?
The process leaves behind nutrient-rich, decontaminated ash with recoverable phosphorus. This makes our solution particularly valuable for circular economy goals and mandatory phosphorus recovery requirements. The ash makes it possible to recover phosphorus — a critical resource for agriculture.
We are also developing partnerships with companies whose specialized recovery technologies are an ideal match for our ash product. These partners have proven practices to efficiently convert our ashes into high-quality phosphorus products for use as sustainable fertilizer. This cooperation ensures full use of phosphorus as a valuable resource in agriculture.
About us
Founding Story
Shit2Power GmbH was founded in Berlin in 2023 by Nina Heine and Dr.-Ing. Fabian Habicht. The basis for the business idea was laid by an exchange between Nina Heine and a farmer in spring 2021, which took place as part of an agricultural project. Nina's original focus was on closing the water cycle in order to actively combat increasing water scarcity. However, their perspective changed when the farmer made them aware of Germany's inefficient sewage sludge disposal system, which transports sludge up to 800 km by truck.
Together with Fabian, Nina identified an even greater global challenge: Outdated wastewater treatment and disposal methods mean that 80% of wastewater remains untreated — resulting in over 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The discovery that wet biomass has energy levels comparable to brown coal opened up new perspectives. Particularly in sewage sludge — the most expensive and urgent waste problem — they identified an untapped opportunity and developed a revolutionary solution. Shit2Power was created with the mission to transform wastewater treatment plants into energy-autonomous, resource-efficient power plants. The goal: to close the water cycle, reduce emissions and convert biomass waste into sustainable energy, to the advantage of the environment and the local economy.
Our Co-Founders
Nina Heine, CEO and Co-founder of Shit2Power GmbH, has more than a decade of professional experience in public consulting at KPMG and in leading positions at EEW-Energy from Waste GmbH, one of the most renowned environmental technology companies. There she led innovative projects in the area of sustainable waste management. She also brings extensive expertise in working with start-ups in Europe and the USA.
Dr. Fabian Habicht, Co-founder and CTO of Shit2Power GmbH, is a proven expert in process engineering and renewable energy. With a doctorate in combustion technology and extensive expertise in fluid mechanics and thermodynamics, he is responsible for the development of our innovative technology. His focus is on implementing scalable solutions for wastewater treatment plants across the EU. In doing so, he combines technical know-how with strategic vision to ensure both compliance with regulatory requirements and the economic efficiency of the systems.
Our Team
Testimonials
“If the Shit2Power team succeeds in demonstrating stable solutions for 90 percent of everyday cases in sewage treatment plants, this will undoubtedly convince both customers and investors. This would be a decisive step towards decentralizing wastewater treatment systems.”
Head of Energy Process Engineering and
Conversion Technologies for Renewable Energies
“We are very impressed by your approach to sewage sludge processing and energy use. We find your approach particularly interesting, as our previous plans for a fermentation system have always been a question of cost-benefit. As a wastewater association, we are open to innovations and would like to act as a reference partner for your solution.”
Director of Wastewater Treatment Plant Nünchritz, Saxony
Prizes & Awards
Nina Heine, Co-Founder & CEO, was honored in 2024 for her creative solutions for converting waste products into energy, which are actively reshaping and sustainably shaping the industry.
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