Over the last 12 months there has been a sharp increase in electricity generated from municipal solid waste combustion and anaerobic digestion, according to figures from the Department of Energy and Climate Change.
The 31% increase, up from the same period in 2011, has been accredited to the two types of energy production methods, which demonstrates a rise in fossil fuel prices and the added need and benefit to use renewable energy sources. Municipal solid waste combustion produced 453 GWh in Q2-2012, which has increased by 31.7% since Q2-2011. Likewise, anaerobic digestion energy recovery has increased by 30.2% over the same period. This is further demonstrated by a sharp increase of Renewable s Obligation Certificates issued to accredited generators since 2011.
RPS has been supporting a local service producing energy from wood waste. The biomass energy recovery is produced by TWP Packaging in Gateshead, who effectively use the energy generated to heat their offices and production facilities. It also produces the heat energy needed to heat treat pallets to the ISPM15 standard. Generating energy in this manner from waste wood helps reduce rising heating costs, and in turn helps divert wood waste to landfill by using a sustainable fuel source.
