Successful waste-derived fuel pellet trials for Uskmouth Power Station
SIMEC Atlantis Energy has successfully produced 100 tonnes of fuel pellets for large-scale combustion testing for a power station conversion in Wales, UK.
The global developer, owner and operator of sustainable energy projects developed the 100% waste-derived pellets for the conversion of Uskmouth Power Station. SIMEC also announced the successful completion of large-scale milling tests on the fuel pellets, which will provide a low-cost alternative to coal at the station.
“The completion of the fuel production and the milling trials are a major milestone for this flagship conversion project and represent very important steps in the programme towards financial close,” said Tim Cornelius, CEO of SIMEC.
“This project is the world’s first example of a coal-fired power station being repurposed to run on 100% waste-derived fuel pellets and the results of this test will potentially have material implications for the way plastic waste and ageing coal-fired power stations are managed globally in the future.”
The fuel pellets, produced by project partner and leading Dutch fuel specialist N+P Group, contain 50% biogenic waste material, such as paper and cardboard, with the remainder made up of plastic waste. According to SIMEC, the waste used in the pellets is not currently economically recyclable.
Following the successful trials, the next stage in the project will be for Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Europe to conduct final large-scale combustion trials at their 24MW facility in the second quarter of 2020 to validate combustion system design, before concluding EPC contract negotiations with the lead project partners.
The global developer, owner and operator of sustainable energy projects developed the 100% waste-derived pellets for the conversion of Uskmouth Power Station. SIMEC also announced the successful completion of large-scale milling tests on the fuel pellets, which will provide a low-cost alternative to coal at the station.
“The completion of the fuel production and the milling trials are a major milestone for this flagship conversion project and represent very important steps in the programme towards financial close,” said Tim Cornelius, CEO of SIMEC.
“This project is the world’s first example of a coal-fired power station being repurposed to run on 100% waste-derived fuel pellets and the results of this test will potentially have material implications for the way plastic waste and ageing coal-fired power stations are managed globally in the future.”
The fuel pellets, produced by project partner and leading Dutch fuel specialist N+P Group, contain 50% biogenic waste material, such as paper and cardboard, with the remainder made up of plastic waste. According to SIMEC, the waste used in the pellets is not currently economically recyclable.
Following the successful trials, the next stage in the project will be for Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Europe to conduct final large-scale combustion trials at their 24MW facility in the second quarter of 2020 to validate combustion system design, before concluding EPC contract negotiations with the lead project partners.
