Private Waste-to-Energy Developers between Karachi and Manila, Vientiane and Dili face a huge dilemma.
Their projects are expected to overcome all structural problems created by the absent public waste management infrastructure while being effective, profitable and clean from power sales.
Here some typical, in my humble opinion, outrageous demands we see public admins pose to private projects
- make waste disappear from the public eye
- divert 90% from landfills
- make landfills - a euphemism for open dumps - disappear
- be profitable from power sales
- charge less than 25 USD tipping fee per ton
BUT THIS IS THE SHOCKING REALITY ...
- waste is extremely wet, composition unknown, open to any source
- it contains massive biological and chemical hazards
- its heat value is less than 50% of that in Europe
- its leachate is beyond any manageable limit in volume, COD, heavy metals, bacteria
- no safe final disposal infrastructure exists
- mass-burn incinerators live from fossil fuel and tipping fees - not from renewable energy
- RDF powerplants don't sanitize waste as they leave 85% untreated
- MBT compost/digestate is not harmless fertilizer, it can be highly contaminated
... AND YOU MIGHT ASK YOURSELF, WELL, HOW DID I GET HERE?
Did you know that many city admins don't know much about waste at all and assume private developers are the experts to solve all issues?
Are you aware that most developers tend to believe, that machines will run their projects and suppliers guarantee their success?
Did You know that carbon balance, waste sanitation efficiency, pollutant demobilization performance doesn't play any role in current plant design, licensing or operation?
So whether joining an ill-prepared tender or receiving a ton of unsolicited proposals, you might wonder: how the heck can I identify a project that runs a chance for success?
SE ASIAN FIRST-TIME WTE DEVELOPER?
here is what you can do:
STEP 1 - SET PROJECT PERFORMANCE TARGETS
What are the key features of the 'Ideal' WtE project? Get a 'Good Project Proposal Checklist' info@cbethai.com
STEP 2 - TUNE-IN TO REALITY
If you are a Waste-to-Energy project development first-timer, and you believe your boiler island supplier or EPC contractor will have your back ... well, you better think twice.
Try this:
Refer to your thermal system supplier's firing diagram. See and understand it's minimum requirements? OK. Now open your office window and compare these requirements to what your collection trucks dump at your landfill just right now. Then pick up your fone and ask your supplier who is liable for the difference. Then call us.
STEP 3 - OWN YOUR PROJECT - TAKE ACTION
Locally assess waste, logistics, site, waste as fuel, gross power from waste, emission reduction, residue/pollutant fixation, financial performance, risk management
If you need help go here https://www.cbethai.com/developer-workshops
Let's make your project effective, profitable and clean. www.cbethai.com
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