Green light for Energos EfW plant
16 Nov 2012
London - The UK environment agency (EA) has awarded an environmental permit to energy-from-waste business Energos to operate a small-scale advanced conversion technology (ACT) facility at Knowsley Industrial Park, Merseyside.
The 96,000 tonne-a-year Knowsley energy recovery facility, using a patented Energos gasification process, has also been selected by Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA) to manage short-term treatment of residual, non-recyclable waste, helping to divert it from landfill.
The project will create 9MW of power - equivalent, said Energos, to the output of 15 large wind turbines. It is designed to complement local recycling initiatives and to process only non-hazardous, residual waste, with an ability to accept a variety of waste streams, including refuse derived fuel (RDF).
“We’ve carried out a thorough assessment of the application and consulted widely on the details,” Steve Molyneux, EA environment manager … The Environment Agency is confident that the proposed energy from waste facility will not harm human health or the environment.”
The Environment Agency has set low limits for NOx emissions in recognition of Energos’ capabilities of achieving NOx emissions of less than 25% of the EU limit, without any form of NOx abatement system.
The first phase of work on the Energos Knowsley Energy Recovery facility has been completed and the second phase of work is expected to start in 2013.
“The facility could be completed by 2015,” said Energos MD Nick Dawber. “Despite the difficulties in the financial markets, we are making good progress in securing finance for this £60m project.”
According to Energos, ACT is a best-practice clean technology. Rather than burning non-recyclable waste, it converts it into a gas via a rigorously controlled two-stage thermal treatment process - using the heat of partial combustion.
The gas is then fully combusted to generate heat, which is used to produce steam and electricity.
The combined heat and power process will generate heat for use by neighbouring businesses, as well as electricity.
The project will create 20 long term skilled jobs at the site and more than 50 jobs during the two-year construction period, with more jobs created through the supply and support chain.
“This is a community-sized energy from waste solution that will ensure the diversion of biodegradable material from landfill.”, said Dawber, “Our facilities generate renewable energy and displace the use of fossil fuels.
“We set up the Knowsley Community Liaison Group back in 2008 to manage communication with residents and businesses and members have been fully involved in the project and met at key points in the development cycle.
Energos’ conversion technology has also been selected for the treatment of residual waste at the proposed Milton Keynes Waste Recovery Park and at Glasgow City Council’s proposed Recycling and Renewable Energy Centre.
