Canadian energy group Plasco is attracting investors from far and wide with its first nearly operational waste to energy processing plant in Ottawa, Ontario. By using a unique plasma torch process, Plasco is able to use intense heat applied to waste materials in a controlled environment that produces various levels of output. Ranging from synthetic gas for engines to potable water, Plasco's technology creates valuable forms of usable energy and emits zero hazardous byproduct into the atmosphere.

This type of incineration is much more cost effective than older or other forms of disposing waste, including gasificiation. By keeping oxygen minimally involved in the process, they are able to generate about twice as much power, while only leaving 1.3 kilograms of leftover waste material (mostly lead and other metals that must be filtered out). Their current permit with the city of Ottawa allows for 4 MW of power a day, enough to power 3,600 homes in the area.

Plasco's technology is promising for several reasons -- although biofuels are becoming increasingly popular, there is growing concern that the cost needed to produce them is not necessarily outweighing the benefits of a fuel that emits lower levels of carbon dioxide. Room must be made to grow these biofuels, and that means more deforestation (especially in countries like ethanol-hungry Brazil) with devasting land-use effects. However, if energy can be generated from a source that is not only already available, but is something society wants disposed of anyway, then Plasco is sitting on a very promising capability. It's no wonder that governments from Mexico, Spain and the United Kingdom are starting to take notice.

Garbage in, clean energy out

Labels: Advanced Energy