One Person’s Waste is Another’s Power Source

The growing field of Waste-to-Energy as a renewable power source continues to gain support as a pragmatic solution compatible with fossil fuels

Temp-Pro has always been an advocate of renewable energy sources since these facilities require the support of our temperature-sensing devices, such as RTDs, thermocouples, and other custom-made consumables we produce. This allows our company to have an active role in the worldwide movement to make better decisions today without burdening the generations of tomorrow. 

The fact is, America and the world as a whole is slowly buying into the idea that sustainable power generation, renewable energy and other alternate sources can coexist with the long-established fossil fuels currently in use. Consequently, the idea of renewable power has been around for decades and it wasn’t until 10 years ago that it was romanticized as a result of the Great Recession of 2008. 

More and more, waste-to-energy is becoming an optimal alternative to deal with a virtually-unlimited source of fuel capable of powering our cities and industry. Commercial power plants that use waste-to-energy technology are now being built thanks to the investment of forward-thinking companies. The reason is simple: we can either create new landfills that incur a cost to manage and keep adding to the problem OR create waste-to-energy processing facilities that can generate power–and steady revenue instead of a high-cost.

Gasification—the process of converting municipal solid waste or MSW into feedstock–can produce a thermo-chemical reaction that is then converted into a synthetic gas used as fuel. This form of fuel is then converted into thermal energy fed into a power plan, thus completing the waste-to-energy process to generate power. However, the challenge gasification produces is that it requires incineration, which can have an adverse reaction in the environment due to its carbon-emission output. 

The new direction waste-to-energy power generation is taking focuses on reducing the carbon footprint. Theoretically, this can be achieved with innovative waste-to-energy processes that may still generate some level of emissions—but far below than of fossil fuels like natural gas. This can be accomplished by making changes in the gasification process where the fuel’s carbon is oxidized and then converted into high-pressure steam, as well as CO2.

Temp-Pro continues to keep an eye on this technology, advising clients to consider using our custom-order industrial thermometers, designed to perform in waste-to-energy power plants with the same level of durability as in other conventional power generation operations. Our knowledge of the high-temperature environments in which waste-to-energy operates allows is one way we can assist your company in creating the specific solution needed for high performance and output.

We can all agree that renewable energy sources will continue to increase and the global energy industry has already found it compatible to use waste-to-energy, Aeolic (wind), geothermal, and other forms of sustainable power generation. And the increased investment by organizations and governments shows no signs of slowing down—giving us further indication that this is one of our most promising opportunities in the decades to come.

If you are currently operating or considering the development of a waste-to-energy power plant, contact Temp-Pro today to learn more about our world-class temperature measurement devices.