This past September, I visited Japan as a member of the UCLA Recycling & Municipal Solid Waste Management Advisory Board, to see firsthand how far the island nation has come in achieving its unique vision of zero waste…the virtual elimination of landfiling those materials with any vestige of value remaining.
Similar to the waste management hierarchy in the US, Japan’s policy is based on the 3R model of reduce, reuse, recycle, but with a significant difference. In their plan, energy recovery is housed under the banner of reuse rather than as a separate (and lower) element of the hierarchy. Thus, thermal recovery of energy is a fundamental element of waste management in Japan.
Why does this interest me? Because I feel that this is the direction in which we will move in the future, not as part of some grand scheme for saving the planet or even in preventing the use of space for burying our unwanteds, but because the conversion of waste to energy is reuse. The real issues of concern seem to me to lie in the residuals, both as to the mitigation of their consequences, and the exploitation of the options they provide.
Let’s look at the consequences, chief among which is the creation and transfer of pollutants of one sort or another, depending on the particular practice involved. Air-quality impacts are associated with nearly all energy-related activities, with water use and degradation involved in most. How severe, how serious, how amenable to mitigation, and at what cost both in terms of dollars and system efficiency are factors of prime consideration, just as they are to any activity under the sun, regardless of origin or purpose.
Over the years, the brief against mass-burn WTE facilities has focused on their various air emissions, but through a combination of technologies and practices, we've seen them brought to within standards set for other utility-grade power plants. Should they be held to even higher standards? In due course, yes, but the same can be said of coal- and gas-fired power plants as well.
Though admittedly less is known about emissions from the wide variety of conversion technologies here in the US, the Japanese experience with CTs shows their ability to meet or exceed those limits applicable to conventional powerplants.
CTs are just now beginning to get off the ground in the US and Canada, and there is still a lot to learn about their performance and suitability for use in the current ISWM environment. We do have, however, roadmaps from both Europe and Asia to help us navigate our way with a lot more clarity than we’ve had in the past.
*********************************************************************************
FORESTER UNIVERSITY - UPCOMING CLASSES
What Designers and Reviewers Need to Understand and Complete
Module 5 of the Sediment & Erosion Control Master Class
Presenters:
Jerald S. Fifield, Ph.D., CISEC, CPESC
Tina R. Evans, PE, CISEC
HydroDynamics Incorporated
Wed., Dec. 5th @ 2 p.m. EST / 11 a.m. PST
How effective is your sediment and erosion control plan? Join Jerald S. Fifield Ph.D., PH, CISEC, CPESC and Tina R. Evans, PE, CISEC for the fifth installment of our advanced Sediment and Erosion Control Master Class Series and the first part of our Effective S&EC Plans 2-part mini-series, What Designers and Reviewers Need to Understand and Complete, exploring the problems and challenges of sediment and erosion control plans, and how to develop, review and implement effective sediment and erosion control plans that not only meet local regulations, but are effective in meeting performance goals.
[Read full description.]
Watershed Restoration Analysis and Integration with Urban Planning
Presenter:
Paul Crabtree, P.E., CNU-A
President, Crabtree Group Inc.
HydroDynamics Incorporated
Thurs., Dec. 6th @ 2 p.m. EST / 11 a.m. PST
Don’t assume … assess! Optimize your urban planning efforts by studying the watershed first! Join Paul Crabtree, P.E., CNU-A, to explore the importance of conducting a watershed restoration analysis prior to planning, as well as how to design, implement, and assess this analysis to identify comprehensive and effective strategies and solutions for integrating rainwater practice with capital improvement plans and urban planning.
[Read full description.]
Determining Performance Goals and Assessing the Effectiveness of S&EC Plans
Module 6 of the Sediment & Erosion Control Master Class
Presenters:
Jerald S. Fifield, Ph.D., CISEC, CPESC
Tina R. Evans, PE, CISEC
HydroDynamics Incorporated
Wed., Dec. 12th @ 2 p.m. EST / 11 a.m. PST
Are you meeting your performance goals? Join Jerald S. Fifield Ph.D., PH, CISEC, CPESC and Tina R. Evans, PE, CISEC for the sixth and final installment of our advanced Sediment and Erosion Control Master Class Series and the second part of our Effective S&EC Plans 2-part mini-series, Determining Performance Goals and Assessing the Effectiveness of S&EC Plans, exploring the calculation of performance goals (PG) at major discharge points using the results of RUSLE2, as well how to calculate effectiveness (EFF) of sediment and erosion control plans before implementation.
[Read full description.]
Getting Started in Green Infrastructure—Ten Keys to Jumpstart Your Green Infrastructure Program
Presenter:
Andy Reese, P.E., LEED AP
Vice President,
AMEC Environment & Infrastructure
Tues., Dec. 18th @ 2 p.m. EST / 11 a.m. PST,
Jumpstart your green infrastructure program! Join Andy Reese as he draws from his experience assisting some of the leading practitioners of Green Infrastructure and his 35 years as a leading consultant in municipal Stormwater management to explore key technical and institutional aspects of successful programs, ultimately building a framework and roadmap for the local municipality looking to step into Green Infrastructure.
[Read full description.]