International Review of Waste Management Policy - Department of ...

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associated with fuel used within facilities, the latter is used to determine
avoided emissions resulting from energy generated by facilities. 1190
WRATE’s default assumption is that heat generation offsets use of gas-fuelled heat
generation. We have retained this assumption.
Our assessment is carried out on the basis of impacts associated with 1 tonne of
residual waste sent to each treatment facility. The results presented in the following
sections are not directly comparable to those produced by the FTC analysis, as the
latter also considered impacts associated with collection and recycling of 100,000
tonnes of waste within each of their four scenarios.
Our analysis considers the performance of the following thermal treatment facilities
against key WRATE criteria:
� Chineham incinerator, generating electricity only (Incin Elec C in the graphs);
� Dundee incinerator, generating electricity only (Incin Elec D);
� Billingham incinerator, generating electricity only (Incin Elec B);
� Coventry incinerator, generating electricity and heat (Incin CHP C);
� Grimsby incinerator, generating electricity and heat (Incin CHP G).
The WRATE model includes two categories of MBT process – the “generic” processes
modelled using data obtained through literature published on MBT processes – and
proprietary processes (e.g. the Ecodeco process) compiled using data provided by
facility operators wherever possible. Whilst the FTC analysis considered only the two
generic processes, we have included two additional facilities within the analysis that
follows:
� The Arrowbio Anaerobic Digestion-based MBT plant;
� The Ecodeco MBT facility (producing an SRF which is sent to the Chineham
incinerator, generating electricity only).
In each case, the performance of the MBT and incineration facilities is compared to
that of landfill.
62.1.1 WRATE Impact Assessment
The default impact assessment method within WRATE considers the performance of
technology options against the following criteria:
1. Abiotic Resource Depletion
2. Global Warming Potential
3. Human Toxicity Potential
1190 The baseline mix includes 22% Coal, 54% Gas and 11% Peat. See: Energy Policy Statistical
Support Unit (2008) Energy in Ireland 1990 – 2007, Report for Sustainable Energy Ireland, December
2008.
International Review of Waste Policy: Annexes