Waste2Tricity Starts Concept Design Study for WTE Plant in UK

London-based Waste2Tricity (W2T) has started the concept design study for the development of what it says is an advanced waste-to-energy (WTE) plant. Peel Environmental will provide the property solution for the facility, which will convert about 100,000 metric tons per year of feedstock – residual household or commercial and industrial waste – into low-carbon electricity.

The project will use Westinghouse plasma-assisted gasification from Alter NRG to convert waste sourced from several suppliers, including Energy Gap Ltd. Alter NRG is providing a discounted technology license for the project in exchange for an option to take a minority investment.

W2T, in conjunction with its engineer AMEC and consultant Foster Wheeler, also is working with partners to draw up plans for the 13.6 megawatt (MW) plant, which will produce nearly 109,000 MW hours of low carbon electricity a year - enough to power around 24,000 homes . The project will use internal combustion engines, but W2T expects it to also demonstrate AFC Energy’s alkaline fuel cells, as they become commercially available. The equivalent fuel cell plant will export an additional 43 percent of electricity from the same amount of feedstock.

Peter Jones, chairman of W2T says, “We expect this to be the first of many similar programs for the project partners in the UK. The 100,000-metric-tons-a-year model will meet the localism agenda – using locally derived feedstock to supply electricity to local homes and businesses. We believe there is a potential market in the UK for up to 100 units of this size. Once we are able to deploy fuel cells , the output from our plants will increase substantially and be carbon capture ready – holding out the prospect of carbon negative electricity.”

Myles Kitcher, director of Peel Environmental, says, “We’re pleased to offer Waste2Tricity a property solution and are looking forward to working with them on what is an exciting project for us. As owners of an extensive land portfolio, our technology neutral approach and flexible business model means that we can back the right technology for the right site. Our strong track record of delivering projects for the waste management sector combined with the proven technology provided by Waste2Tricity puts us in a position to deliver the much needed infrastructure necessary to move waste away from landfill and to provide low carbon heat and electricity.”