Trash Incineration (Waste-to-Energy) Systems
Trash incineration uses municipal waste material to generate electricity from the heat of the combustion process, this is commonly called "waste-to-energy." There were 171 garbage incinerators in the United States in 1991, but that number fell to just 89 dedicated waste-to-energy facilities in 2004.
RATIONALE
Waste-to-energy systems sound like and ideal way to eliminate waste while delivering power to the grid, but there are many trade-offs to be considered.
- Incinerators emit more CO2 per megawatt-hour than coal-fired, natural-gas-fired, or oil-fired power plants.
- For every 10,000 metric tons per year of capacity, one full-time job is created. In contrast, U.S. recycling facilities sustain 11 jobs per 10,000 metric tons processed. (2)
- To operate at peak efficiency, incinerators need to be run constantly, which creates constant demand for fuel and a vulnerability to market prices
- Incinerators compete for the same materials and financial resources as
- STE reduction strategies and encourage wasting
- High maintenance costs can eliminate revenue gains from tipping fees and power generation
- Incinerators are generally unable to cover costs while matching the market price for tipping fees
- Due to the technical nature of the process, there is usually a need for special consultants that can add to cost
EFFORT REQUIRED
Not only are there huge upfront costs to build an incineration facility, but once the facility is operational, securing a constant stream of fuel can be difficult and will likely become more difficult as more materials are diverted into recycling and composting programs. Facility maintenance is also very expensive as the combustion process releases a variety of harsh chemicals that speed up the aging process.
BENEFIT
- Reduce volume of waste being dumped in landfills
- Produce electricity from otherwise landfilled materials
RISKS
- Emission of GHGs and other toxics
- Inability to find consistent feedstock
- Market rate for tipping fees does not cover costs
COST
Capital investment for a waste incinerator ranges from US$50 million to US$280 million depending on its capacity, which means the net cost per ton to burn wastes is at least twice the cost of controlled landfills, and many times greater than the costs of recycling and composting strategies. Operation and maintenance of a waste-to-energy facility are also expensive relative to their energy output. Using the Elk River facility as an example, their annual boiler maintenance fees are $3 million, or half of total operating costs.
Waste disposal sites for solid waste from human activities.Charged by a landfill for disposal of waste, typically quoted per ton.A mixture of decayed plants and other organic material that is used to enrich soil with nutrients.The collection, reprocessing, marketing, and use of materials that were diverted or recovered from the solid waste stream.The ability or potential of a physical body to do work. The most common forms of energy are heat, light, mechanical (moving parts), and electrical.
