Garbage-to-electricity. Part 1. Success elusive in garbage power

Journal Article · Wed Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981 · Electr. Light Power; (United States)

OSTI ID:6134607

Smock, R W

Only the two smallest of the ten large-scale projects to convert municipal trash into electric power are operating, while the others are either shut down for a variety of reasons or not yet operating. Utilities with an interest in refuse derived fuel (RDF) tend to prefer boilers which burn 100% RDF rather than having a supplemental capability. No common cause is found to relate the failures to type of utility ownership. The Environmental Protection Agency is backing away from the concept after funding some of the earlier projects. Some support could come under the Energy Security Act, but DOE has not taken an active role. Utility interest in the technology continues, but new facilities will feature boilers designed for trash. Low-grade process-steam generation has been more successful to date than power generation, according to a recent survey of 42 waste-to-energy projects. The two-part article will continue with more operating information on the 10 utility projects. 2 tables. (DCK)

• OSTI ID: 6134607
• Journal Information: Electr. Light Power; (United States), Journal Name: Electr. Light Power; (United States) Vol. 59:7; ISSN ELLPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
090400 -- Solid Waste & Wood Fuels-- (-1989)
20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
200108* -- Fossil-Fueled Power Plants-- Fuels-- (1980-)
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
296000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Electric Power
299003 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Unconventional Sources & Power Generation-- Other-- (-1989)
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
FINANCING
FUELS
MUNICIPAL WASTES
PERFORMANCE
POWER PLANTS
PUBLIC UTILITIES
REFUSE DERIVED FUELS
REFUSE-FUELED POWER PLANTS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
WASTES