Future-Forward Waste-to-Energy and Carbon Capture Solutions
“The closure of Ratcliffe-on-Soar, the UK's last coal-fired power station, at the end of September 2024 marks the end of 140 years of reliance on coal for power. Replacing fossil fuel with renewable alternatives and developing the use of carbon capture in conjunction with renewable technologies are essential to achieving a sustainable future. The energy transition is more than a generational shift; it's a societal transformation, guiding us towards a cleaner, greener world.”
Integrating waste-to-energy into a low-carbon future
As the world grapples with the urgent need to transition from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources, waste-to-energy forms an important part of the conversation.
Aligned with circular economy goals, the waste management hierarchy prioritises prevention, reuse and recycling to promote sustainability. This is vitally important to help design out waste at source, promote societal adoption of a ‘reuse, repair, and share’ mindset and reduce our use of hard to recycle products and packaging. In transition, however, residual waste (the waste remaining after prevention, reuse and recycling efforts have been exhausted) will still be generated, creating a need to employ recovery technologies such as waste-to-energy to manage this material.
While waste-to-energy facilities recover value from waste that would otherwise be landfilled, they still emit flue gases including carbon dioxide, contributing to global warming. Combining carbon capture with waste-to-energy technologies offers a path to decarbonise these facilities as part of the transition away from fossil fuels towards a low carbon circular future.
Waste-to-energy in the balance
Waste-to-energy technologies will continue to play an important role in our journey towards a sustainable energy future, transforming waste from a disposal problem into a valuable resource. To effectively manage this role, a strong and transparent national policy framework that incentivises innovative waste management solutions is also required. In the short term, waste incineration will be included in the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) by 2028. During this period, the UK Government also intends to tighten extender producer responsibilities, implement standardised recycling collections and introduce a deposit return scheme (DRS). These new reforms aim to foster technological innovation, positive consumer behaviour and promote more efficient and cleaner waste-to-energy generation by eliminating high fossil and hard-to-recycle items from residual waste.
Waste-to-energy technologies
Non-thermal waste-to-energy
Anaerobic digestion is a highly effective method for managing organic wastes generating 100% clean energy. This process involves breaking down organic matter in an oxygen-free environment, producing biogas and nutrient-rich digestate. The biogas can be used to generate electricity and heat upgraded to biomethane for use as a renewable natural gas, or converted to biomethanol or hydrogen. The digestate can be applied as a soil enhancer, returning valuable nutrients to the soil.
All energy produced from anaerobic digestion comes from organic sources, helping to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and cut carbon emissions.
Thermal waste-to-energy
Waste-to-energy plants convert residual waste materials into usable forms of energy such as electricity, heat or fuel while recovering valuable materials from the incoming wastes. The environmental and operational performance of thermal waste-to-energy facilities are significantly improved when designed to maximise both the heat and power generated, displacing energy that would otherwise be generated from burning fossil fuels (for example natural gas).
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Combustion: burns waste with excess oxygen to produce heat which can be used to generate electricity. The remaining bottom ash can be processed to recover secondary metals and produce aggregate for use as a replacement construction material.
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Gasification: heats waste with limited oxygen to produce syngas that can be used to generate electricity and heat, or as a feedstock for producing biofuels and chemicals. The remaining slag can be processed to recover secondary metals and produce vitrified aggregate for use as a replacement construction material.
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Pyrolysis: heats waste in the absence of oxygen to produce syngas, char and oils. The syngas can be used to generate electricity and heat, or as a feedstock for producing fuels and chemicals. Biochar from the pyrolysis of organic material can be used as a soil enhancer, environmental remediation product or to produce carbon black. Biooil can be used as a fuel for boilers, engines or turbines, or upgraded/converted to higher quality fuels or chemicals such as resins as adhesives.
Waste-to-energy and carbon capture
Integrating carbon capture technologies with waste-to-energy technologies can reduce their carbon emissions by capturing carbon dioxide to mitigate climate change. Carbon capture technologies can be integrated with waste-to-energy processes to reduce carbon emissions using the following methods:
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Post-combustion capture: captures carbon dioxide from the flue gases produced by burning waste. This involves chemical solvents that absorb carbon dioxide, which is then compressed and stored or utilised. This can be used to capture carbon dioxide from incinerator flue gas emissions and can be retrofitted to existing waste-to-energy plants.
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Pre-combustion capture: captures carbon dioxide before the waste is burned, typically during gasification, where syngas is treated to remove carbon dioxide before combustion. More complex for waste-to-energy facilities due to the complexity and costs of modifying existing plants.
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Direct air capture: captures carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere, which can be combined with waste-to-energy processes to offset emissions. Technology still developing and less well suited to integrating with waste-to-energy applications.
When powered by renewable energy, carbon capture processes could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions without increasing fossil fuel consumption. This makes capture an attractive partner to waste-to-energy as part of a net zero future.
The importance of waste-to-energy and carbon capture solutions
Waste-to-energy and carbon capture solutions are important for several reasons:
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Carbon emission reduction: employing efficient waste-to-energy can mitigate climate change by reducing emissions relating to energy generated from fossil fuel sources, valorising the energy potential in biogenic waste and the avoiding higher global warming potential emissions from landfill.
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Energy security: waste-to-energy solutions provide a stable and reliable power supply, reducing dependence on imported fuels and enhancing energy security.
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Economic benefits: investing in cleaner and efficient waste-to-energy projects creates jobs, stimulates economic growth and fosters technological innovation.
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Environmental protection: waste-to-energy solutions have a lower environmental impact than landfill, preserving natural habitats and reducing pollution.
GHD: leading the way in waste-to-energy and carbon capture
At GHD, we support the integration of waste-to-energy technologies into modern energy systems as part of a sustainable energy transition. Our expertise navigating the evolving policy landscape, alongside project development, engineering and operational support ensures that we deliver sustainable and efficient energy and waste solutions for our clients, contributing to a greener and more resilient future.
Our combined strengths include the following:
Industry understanding
We have an in-depth understanding of waste and energy industry workings: tracking policies, practices and drivers and combining this knowledge with our technical and commercial knowhow to assess and develop project opportunities.
Circular economy
We understand the opportunities of moving to a circular economy, and the changes needed within individual businesses, legislation and society.
Advisory capability
We specialise in providing transactional diligence support to vendors, developers, investors and lenders relating to stand-alone and portfolio waste management and renewable energy projects and opportunities.
Project development and feasibility studies
We have an in-depth understanding of waste and energy industry workings: tracking policies, practices and drivers and combining this knowledge with our technical and commercial knowhow to assess and develop project opportunities.
Engineering and design
Our engineering support spans the entire project lifecycle, from initial design and technology selection to detailed engineering and construction management. We ensure that projects are optimised for efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and environmental compliance.
Innovative solutions
We employ the latest technologies in CCS, WtE, and renewable energy, helping our clients stay ahead in a dynamic market. Our projects help industries meet regulatory requirements and reduce their carbon footprint.
Operational support and maintenance
We offer robust operational support post-construction, including maintenance services, performance monitoring, and optimisation strategies. Our goal is to enhance the longevity and performance of our clients’ assets.
Global presence, local expertise
With a strong foothold in the United Kingdom, Middle East and beyond, our team offers both global perspectives and local insights to meet diverse project needs.
Talk to us
GHD is dedicated to advancing the clean-energy transition, strengthening energy security and fostering sustainable practices. With our extensive global experience, we are committed to supporting our clients on their journeys to a Net Zero future.
To talk to us about our services and projects, please speak to one of our specialists: