Industry Insight Tours – Newhaven ERF

Our popular series of  events Industry Insight Tours run on behalf of the University of Brighton’s Green Growth Platform took us to Veolia’s Energy Recovery Facility in Newhaven this February.

The site in Newhaven is the first of its kind to be built in the South Downs area and cost around £175 million to complete, including a unique ‘floating caisson’ which was used to house 20 metres of the plant underground and reduce the proposed height to meet planning requirements.

The plant currently processes around 210,000 tonnes of waste annually enough to fill Wembley Stadium, although only half of the household waste in the area. Residual waste which cannot be recycled from Hollingdean MRF is burnt at the plant creating 16 megawatts of electricity to be exported to the national grid and power approximately 25,000 homes annually. The plant has been operational since June 2011 and during this time has reduced the amount of waste sent to landfill by around 95% in the area.

Our host Brian, an engineer at Newhaven ERF showed the group the different areas of the plant. Beginning with the tipping hall, where waste is delivered and tipped directly into a large pit. The waste is then mixed to ensure an even distribution of materials and good burn; this is done by two large claws, operated from control chairs overlooking the pit. The mixed waste is fed down chutes which lead into the furnaces where it is burned at a minimum temperature of 850°C without the addition of any other fuels.

The resulting bottom ash is 25% of the wastes original volume and is fed through a magnetic separator where ferrous metals are extracted for recycling. The remaining ash is taken away on an adjacent train line and processed, returning as inert ash which is used as road aggregates by a nearby firm.

88 tonnes of steam are produced per hour which is used to turn the generator and create electricity; the steam is cooled back into water and reused in a closed loop system.

The gases produced in the combustion process are put through a system to neutralise and filter harmful pollutants so that what is emitted through the two 65 metre high chimneys is within safe limits set by the Environment Agency and Waste Incineration Directive.

Every step of the process from temperatures to emission levels are controlled and monitored constantly through a system of computers in the control room.

Industry Insight Tours continue in March with visits to Peacehaven Wastewater Treatment Works. Further tours and dates for 2015 will be added shortly: www.sustainablebusiness.org.uk/network/industry-insight-tours

The Green Growth Platform supports a thriving and innovative green sector in Sussex through a unique menu of business services delivered by a team of industry specialists, business advisors and university experts. The Platform offers businesses 1-2-1 coaching, events and networking, innovation and R&D support and skills and training. For more information and free membership, please visit www.greengrowthplatform.co.uk.

The Sustainable Business Network is pleased to be working in partnership with the Green Growth Platform to run a series of networking events, site tours and specialist seminars: www.sustainablebusiness.org.uk/network