Editor's note:
Local support
Since the project was announced in July 2010 it received support from the regional development agency One North East via the Tees Valley Industrial Programme, and has benefited from the active encouragement and support of various local organisations including NEPIC, the North East Chamber of Commerce, RenewPlus and Tees Valley Unlimited, as well as from local MPs, Alex Cunningham and James Wharton.
About the Tees Valley Renewable Energy facility
> www.airproducts.co.uk/teesvalley
The Tees Valley Renewable Energy facility will use advanced gasification technology to provide renewable electricity for up to 50,000 homes in the North East. The 49MW power plant will be located at the Reclamation Pond site (adjacent to the North Tees Chemical Complex), which is now part of the New Energy and Technology Business Park, near Billingham, Teesside.
The plant will mostly use non-recyclable waste (i.e. household, commercial and industrial waste left over after recycling) that is currently going to landfill sites in the Teesside area for the production of renewable energy in the North East. Longer term, this plant has the potential to generate a renewable source of hydrogen for commercial use, for example to fuel public transport.
As part of the planning process, Air Products and its project team carried out a series of technical and environmental studies. The company also consulted local and national organisations about the project, as well as sharing its plans with local residents and businesses. In October 2010, public exhibitions were held in Stockton and Port Clarence and a leaflet about the project was distributed to more than 7,500 households in the area.
About advanced gasification technology
The facility will be one of the first advanced gasification plants of this size in the UK, using technology already employed in other countries and proven as an efficient and environmentally friendly way of producing energy from waste.
Advanced gasification technology is used to convert a variety of feedstocks (for example non-recyclable waste) into an energy rich gas stream product which can be used to generate renewable power, hydrogen or biofuels. A non-hazardous by-product (slag) is also produced which could potentially be beneficially used in the manufacture of other products such as floor tiles, insulation, landscaping blocks or road aggregate.
AlterNRG’s Westinghouse gasification solution – which will be used at the proposed facility - has been operating in waste destruction facilities and generating energy from waste for over 15 years. Two existing facilities in Japan have been processing household and other industrial wastes into energy for over 7 years and have proven to be reliable and has met stringent Japanese emission standards. The proposed Air Products facility will incorporate the best available, proprietary clean-up technology to reduce emissions further, making for clean and renewable energy production.
About Air Products
Air Products (NYSE:APD) serves customers in industrial, energy, technology and healthcare markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials, and equipment and services. Founded in 1940, Air Products has built leading positions in key growth markets such as semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. The company is recognized for its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety and the environment. In fiscal 2010, Air Products had revenues of $9 billion, operations in over 40 countries, and 18,300 employees around the globe.
For more information, visit > www.airproducts.com. |
