July 1, 2010

WTE: Next-Generation Sustainable Energy

By Dr. Marco J. Castaldi

It is clear that energy use will expand in the future as our population and society’s standard of living increase. Meanwhile, the push toward a sustainable lifestyle requires that all resources be utilized efficiently and sparingly. The National Academy of Sciences has identified paradigm shifts from current processes to an ideal vision centered on renewable energy and an atom economy—defined as maximum incorporation of starting materials into final products. These seemingly disparate paths converge if one considers energy production from municipal solid waste (MSW).

WTE’s Renewed Popularity

Waste-to-energy (WTE) facilities in the U.S. have operated for more than 30 years and in the past 15 years have been equipped with the most advanced air pollution control systems, known as maximum achievable control technology (MACT). Recently, these power plants have gained renewed attention as communities struggle with waste management and sustainability issues.

On April 13, the New York Times published the article, “Europe Finds Clean Energy in Trash, but U.S. Lags.” It discusses WTE and how Europe—in particular, Denmark—is a model that should be followed when siting and operating WTE plants. In Europe, electricity and heat for district heating from WTE facilities are used to achieve overall thermal efficiencies of greater than 60%.

The typical question I hear after lectures and presentations on WTE technologies is, “Why aren’t we doing more of this?” The simple answer I give is that preconceived notions, based on incinerator emissions before the MACT regulations, have held back development. But that is changing.