Indaver and its energy strategy
Waste-to-energy: from waste processing to energy production
Indaver conducts a sustainable energy policy. We use energy rationally in all our activities, relying on renewable sources as far as possible. Moreover, when designing our plants we aim for maximum recovery of energy from waste materials (waste-to-energy). As well as using the energy which is generated in this way in our plants, we also supply energy to neighbouring businesses and the grid.
Four pillars for a sustainable energy policy
- The steam pipeline in Doel
Indaver’s energy policy fits perfectly with the European Union’s objective of reducing the emission of greenhouse gases. It is based on four pillars:
- Recovering energy from waste
- Using energy rationally
- Keeping fossil fuels to a minimum
- Using renewable energy sources as far as possible
We operate this policy both in our own facilities and in the projects in which we participate.
A couple of concrete examples:
- Rotary kiln
In Belgium, Indaver recovers the energy produced in its own grate incinerators and rotary kilns. We receive green energy certificates from the Flemish government for this. A similar energy policy is also pursued in plants in which Indaver is involved.
In our grate incinerators we recover up to 80% of the energy content of the residual waste that we process. The steam that is released during incineration is directly used for heat-related applications by neighbouring businesses or converted into electricity which we supply to the public.
Thanks to the energy recovery in our rotary kilns, these facilities are largely self-sufficient. High-calorie waste materials act like conventional fossil fuels during processing. The generated steam is used for the distillation of solvents and the heating of the buildings. The remaining steam is converted into electricity.
We also ensure maximum energy recovery in the fluidising bed incinerators of SLECO for the thermal processing of sludge and solid waste materials. Thus the heat which is released during the processing of the high-calorie waste is used to dry the sludge.
Indaver plans to build a fourth grate incinerator in Doel. The energy produced by the current grate incinerators and fluidising bed incinerators corresponds to the consumption of 140,000 families. If the fourth grate incinerator is built, the energy production will be equivalent with the consumption of energy of175,000 families.
At the Hooge Maey landfill site in Antwerp, Indaver recovers energy from the waste which has been disposed of there. The organic-biological components are converted into methane, which is used as a fuel for gas engines which generate electricity.
In Ireland, Indaver is actively engaged in the development of various Waste-to-Energy projects. Thus the new incineration plant in Meath will recover enough energy to supply 20,000 families. The projects will help Ireland to meet its targets under the Kyoto protocol.
In Germany, enough energy is recovered at AVG’s plants to supply 30,000 families.
