There continues to be outdated and misleading impressions that energy recovery facilities (ERFs) are simply incinerators that pollute the surrounding area. This could not be further from the truth. Looking at the facts, ERFs offer a cheaper and more sustainable alternative to landfill for non-recyclable waste.
It's time to put the myths and falsehoods aside on ERFs and take a fresh look at what we do with our waste
Richard Kirkman, Veolia ES
The sensationalist myths relating to ‘health concerns', ‘old technology', ‘damaging recycling', often stand in the way of an important solution for UK PLC public interest, underpinning energy supply while removing the landfill cost from the public purse.
ERFs are viewed by some as “old fashioned mass burn technology” but they are in fact modern, highly efficient, stringently regulated technologies that provide recovery and are helping the UK avoid landfill and meet its 2020 renewable targets.
The UK has a 2020 target to source 15% of its electricity from renewable sources. By 2009 less than half that target had been reached with just 6.7% of the UK's electricity produced in this way. In 2009, hydro provided for around 20% of renewable electricity, wind around 35% and waste 40%, the other 5% from minor sources.
Technologies
Throughout the past 60 years ERF technologies, as with all technologies, have enjoyed breakthroughs and a modern ERF is the equivalent of the ‘hybrid car' in terms of energy production – it is partly renewable energy, is highly efficient in energy recovery terms, and is considered low carbon technology by the Government.
While ERF design has changed out of all recognition, what really matters is that ERFs are using the latest intelligent control systems; emissions abatement equipment and turbine technology to deliver a clean, efficient and long-term solution to waste and energy needs.
Some of our ERFs look very impressive, for example, our ERF in Chineham, Hampshire has an unobtrusive design and has a ‘green roof' to help the building blend into, and complement, its surroundings. As well as improving the ERFs appearance, the green roof, absorbs rainwater, provides insulation and creates a habitat for wildlife.
We are celebrating our 20th anniversary in the UK market this year and intend to be here for the next 20 years and beyond. We are interested in the long-term sustainable, safe, clean, cost effective solutions to societies' problems. Put simply our business is about cleaning up the environment for industry and the public.
Transition
New European Union legislation will require a lot of old coal fired power stations to close around 2015 and be taken over by new clean coal combustion plants or large nuclear developments. ERFs can ease this transition, bridge the energy gap by replacing part of this need while using waste as a resource in the process.
At a time when the Government has pledged to be the “greenest Government ever”, it's time to put the myths and falsehoods aside on ERFs and take a fresh look at what we do with our waste. Veolia has 24 ERF plants worldwide and is the largest ERF provider in the UK plants (seven plants). The firm exported 1.2TWh of electricity in 2009 from its facilities direct to the National Grid – enough to power more than 170,000 homes.
Last year, 27.3 million tonnes of municipal waste was collected by local authorities in England: 50.3% was sent to landfill; 36.9% was recycled or composted; 12.2% was incinerated for energy recovery.
The Government's Waste Strategy 2007 for England stated that “recovering energy from waste which cannot be recycled is an essential component of a well-balanced policy”. The target to recover municipal waste is 53% by the end of 2010, 67% by 2015 and 75% by 2020 (see Waste Strategy 2007). It is in the UK's best interest that these targets are met.
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