Emissions from waste and open landfills have become one of the largest environmental issues in the world. A growing population and the rise in consumption makes sure this trend will continue for decades if no measures are initiated.

Energy from Waste (EfW) is the solution. Not only does it create valuable energy, but it also solves a problem, reducing the emissions from waste. The team behind Green Transition Holding has more than 30 years of experience from waste management with a proven turnkey EfW solution with the possibility for integrated Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) which is both economical and scalable.

According to The Bellona Foundation, an independent non-profit organization that aims to meet and fight the climate challenges, the European Union (EU) in 2019 generated 224 Mt of municipal waste; 53 Mt were landfilled, 60 Mt incinerated, and 107 Mt recycled. Export of hazardous and non-hazardous waste had tripled between 2001 and 2020, growing from 6.3 million tons to 32.7 million tons respectively.

The municipal waste sector is the fourth largest contributor to emissions in the EU. In 2017, the emissions registered for the waste sector amounted to approximately 138 million tons of greenhouse gases.

Emissions from waste incineration in Europe grew from 5.4 million tons CO2 in 1990 to 95.6 million tons of CO2 and are now approximately equivalent to emissions from landfills.

In the UK, B2B waste pollution accounts for a large portion of the UK's CO2 emissions from open landfills. Green Transition Holding has the technology to generate energy from this waste.

So how does it work?

At the heart of the process is the Aitos technology, an advanced thermal technology (ATT) with 2-stage combustion. The ATT technology has been in operation in several plants in Norway over the last 20 years with excellent operational performance. Building on the original design, we are in the process of lifting the capacity further through the installation of a newly developed intelligent software to control, monitor, and adjust the core process. The software controls the dosage and distribution of fuel and air in relation to the calorific value of the waste. The effect is that the performance in terms of steam production and temperature of superheated steam is always kept at maximum level and at stable conditions. The company’s modular setup can offer a flexible and carbon-neutral solution for both commercial & industrial waste and household waste.

One of the key enablers to succeed in constructing a highly functioning EfW lies in partnering up with the right EPC supplier. We believe that the Kanfa group is this partner. They have an excellent track record, with years of experience in designing and delivering highly complex FPSO projects as well as a strong focus on developing technologies for the green transition. One of the key technology developments from Kanfa is their proven CCS technology developed specifically for EfW.

We use our in-house experience to invest and develop brownfield and greenfield EfW projects. We will have flexibility in what position we will hold in the assets. Green Transition Holding will secure partnerships on waste-supply agreements and secure power purchase agreements and district heating agreements.

EfW essential

The EfW process is an essential part of the waste management value chain, providing a sustainable way to dispose of waste that would otherwise end up in a landfill. It provides an alternative to landfill and is inherently complementary to recycling, enabling waste handling for non-recyclable materials.

The EfW treatment process generates energy in the form of electricity and heat through incineration. It is seen as a type of thermo-chemical conversion and energy recovery.

EfW has a much lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG)-footprint than landfill, neglecting the emissions of methane. As technology develops, EfW facilities will become more efficient and emissions will continue to fall, leading to a cleaner environment. The integration of CCS to our EfW-plants will reduce the CO2 emissions from the plant with 90%. With a growing need to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels to uphold EU environmental regulations, energy generated from waste will become a sustainable fuel source for the future. The integration of the Aitos EfW technology with Kanfa’s carbon capture solution is an example of how EfW can be at the very core of the green transition and circular economy.

The UK has for a long time systematically developed electricity based on both renewable sources and non-recyclable waste. The UK is expected to continue taking the lead within EfW and Green Transition Holding will play a major part in this transition.

Joining the panel discussion 'Technical Developments - The fully integrated EfW and CCS Solution' at Energy from Waste 2022 will be Helge Rosvold, CTO, Green Transition Holding, and Johnny Stuen, WtE and Onshore CCS Area Manager from their partner, Kanfa Group. 

To read more about GTH’s sponsorship of Energy from Waste 2022 and the full programme details, click here.