The proposed energy-from-waste plant, using pyrolysis and gasification technology provided by Bristol-based Compact Power, would treat 30,000 tonnes of residual waste a year, generating 2.5 megawatts of electricity a year.
The county council is working on the project in partnership with Exeter city council, Viridor Waste Management and Devon Waste Management as well as Compact Power.
A bid has been submitted to Defra's New Technology Demonstrator Programme for financial support and the county is hoping Defra will cover 50-60% of the capital cost. The aim of the 30 million Demonstrator Programme, which is part of Defra's Waste Implementation Programme, is to reduce the amounts of biodegradable municipal waste sent to landfill by demonstrating the commercial viability of new technology waste treatment plants.
Councillor David Marsh, Devon council's executive member for the environment, said: “This pilot project to provide a new waste to energy plant is part of the county council's package of measures to reduce waste. This package includes minimisation, reuse, recycling, energy from waste and finally disposal to landfill.”
A location for the new plant has been identified at Marsh Barton in Exeter on the site of an old incinerator, which was closed in 1996 because it did not meet emission limits. Devon county council stressed that the new plant is not an incinerator and will comply with all emission regulations. It said the technology will 'c;ook and convert' the waste into a gas that is used to generate electricity.
By building the plant and diverting 30,000 tonnes of waste from landfill a year, the county council estimates that it can avoid fines of around 4 million from failing to meet targets set out in the European Landfill Directive. Devon is also keen to avoid paying the increasing Landfill Tax, which increases by 3 a tonne to 18 a tonne next April.
“We have to minimise landfill. Doing nothing is not an option,” said Cllr Marsh.
Bristol
Compact Power was selected for the Devon project through a selective bidding process but is also leading another project in the South West that is applying for funding from the Demonstrator Programme.
The company is working with Bristol city council to build a similar 30,000 tonne per annum plant using its pyrolysis and gasification technology. An application for planning permission has already been submitted to build the new facility on the site of Compact Power's existing plant. The existing plant at Avonmouth has an annual capacity of 8,000 tonnes and processes mainly clinical and hazardous wastes.
Richard Hogg of Compact Power said: “The technology has already been proved for clinical and hazardous waste. What we are proving is not the core technology but the linking of several modules together.”
He added that both Demonstrator Project proposals are “equally important” to the company. If the Bristol proposal is unsuccessful in its bid, Mr Hogg said that Compact Power plans to pursue the project anyway.
The company estimates that it can bring its facilities on line within 12 months and it hopes to commission the plants by the end of 2005.
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