Criteria for Selection of Innovative Waste-To-Energy Conversion Technologies

Coauthored with John Baker 5-9-13 for presentation at the A&WMA-LMSS

Annual Waste Conference – Oak Brook, Illinois

Waste 2013: The Next Generation

Incineration;

Waste to Energy IncudesAnaerobic Digestion;

Waste to Syngas

Ability to Recover Recyclables Upfront

Sustainability, environmental, economic and a philosophy of zero-waste-to-landfill drive consideration

Municipalities have goals to meet

State mandates

Environmental groups fear WtE will reduce recycling

Increases BTU value of remaining feedstock

Recovers inert material that does not add to energy

Beneficial Use of Waste and Marketability of Products

All WtE systems create residues

Incinerator ash is mostly landfilled

Digesters have sludge and wastewater

Sludge can be composted and nutrients recovered from wastewater

Gasifiers create either a powder-like ash can be used as soil or cement additive or vitrified ash (high temperature Plasma) can be used as construction materials

All WtE projects must take in to account all residuals requiring disposal and the potential marketability of residuals that may be recycled

Non-recyclable waste diversion rate

Important to clients that have Corporate mandate for “Zero” waste to landfills

State mandates and EPA waste management hierarchy has landfill ranked last

Environmentalists favor highest diversion rates from landfill

The cost savings associated with diversion (equivalent to savings from avoiding tip fees) oftentimes drives the initial economics of waste-to-energy implementations

Experience and FinancialResources of Company

Management team important especially if the only offer on the table is a turnkey installations

Management team needs to have technical resources for on-going support of WtE that are sold

WtE company needs to have financial resources to have guarantees and post performance bonds, etc.

WtE company financials need to show they will continue to exist in order to support the technology

Facility Size (acres and height) and Design Flexibility, including Design

Soundness, Monitoring and Controls, Safety and Hygiene

Based on feedstock (i.e., waste) tons(gallons)/day capacity, with fuel flexibility important in influencing economics

Ability to fit seamlessly for on-site WtE operations

Easy to operate automatically and monitor remotely

Needs to be safe and have safety approvals- like UL, CE, etcfor local codes/regulations

Feasibility of obtaining all construction and operating permits

Political and environmentalist climate

Public/community relations

State and Federal Agency experience with permitting similar technologies

Local regulatory support

Attainment vs. non-attainment considerations for air permit

More environmental permitting challenges are usually experienced in terms of length of approval process and technology review if hazardous wastes are utilized

Ownership Preference

If client wants to own a new technology, starting with a lease may be preferable so can gain on-site experience and confidence in eventually buying the technology

Most technologies need to have trained operators

Material handling experience is required

Some vendors will only provide turnkey systems for concerns of inappropriate operations could cause system failures

Pre-processing of Fuel Mix

Determine if material handling/pre-processing is included in price/lease of equipment

Varies by technology- some take in waste “as-is”

Some require shredding/sizing

Some require RDF or pelletizing to certain size and dryness (e.g., 15% moisture)

Some require additional small amounts of fossil fuel/catalysts, etc.

Readiness and Reliability, Including Data/Information on Existing Plants and

Client References

Is technology been proven with 3rd party engineering studies?

Has the technology been commercially proven and meeting performance efficiencies, environmental and compliance permit requirements?

Are plant tours available?

Can delivery schedules be met or are there back-log issues?

Risk Allocation

Technology insurable?

Performance bond rating.

Shared risk?

Experience with solving problems at operating plants (e.g., retrofits, redesigns, etc)

Rough Estimate of Capital, Operating, Financing, and Tip Fees - Use of Waste

and Marketability of Products

Proforma for 15-20 year operating life including labor, consumable materials, parasitic load factors, feedstock contracts, recycling contracts for residuals, ROI,

Comparisons of existing options for waste disposal

Energy incentives, government grants, low interest lending programs for renewable energy projects can play an important role in initiating a waste-to-energy project

Standard Contractual Termsand Conditions

Evaluation of supplier contracts for turnkey, sale or lease options

Legal review

Non-performance criteria

Thermal and Energy Efficiency

Compare energy output per volume/ton of waste among suppliers reviewed

Some have capx higher for the same waste capacity but have higher energy production

Utility Needs

Sewer, water, electrical, fossil fuel needs

New construction required or existing on-site

Thank You!