Converting Waste Into Usable Energy

Many city and county governments who manage solid wastes have heard of or been approached by vendors of newly introduced waste conversion technologies promising to convert waste into useful energy. However, implementing such facilities can be a complex undertaking on a variety of issues including technically, environmentally, economically and perhaps most importantly, politically. This OnDemand Webinar is an introductory overview of a wide variety of technologies and their issues that are critical for anyone that wishes to sponsor a successful project or has been approached by a developer wishing to site a project in your community. The program will describe the current types of conversion technologies being promoted in the U.S. and will clarify which technologies have proven operating histories versus those that have not. A discussion of how to allocate the risks and benefits of such a project will be provided. Many of the lessons learned over the last 30 years from implementing and managing conventional waste conversion technology projects, as well as those on current conversion technology development will be discussed, including the key ingredients needed for a successful project and some of the pitfalls to avoid.

Learning Objectives:
•You will be able to review waste treatment technologies.
•You will be able to discuss energy generating technologies.
•You will be able to identify key issues for economic viability.
•You will be able to explain the key issues for allocating risk.

Authors

Agenda

Overview of Waste Treatment Technologies

• Types of Technologies

- Thermo-Chemical

- Bio-Chemical

• Scale

- Commercial

- Emerging

Overview of Energy Generating Technologies

• Heat to Power
• Fuel to Power

- Fuel to Combustion Processes

- Fuel to Chemical Processes

Key Issues for Economic Viability

• Capital and Operating Costs
• Revenue Sources
• Sustainability/Environmental Considerations

Key Issues for Allocating Risk

• Performance, Feedstock, Scale
• Ownership Structure

Additional Formats