The Plasco saga continues

Only a few days ago we learned that Plasco and the City of Ottawa were poised to sign a long-term deal to develop and operate a garbage-to-energy plant. However that all seems somewhat premature now (Exhaust fumes stall Plasco project, Kate Jaimet, Ottawa Citizen, May 25, 2010).

Firstly I was astounded to learn that the demonstration plant’s five engines that are fueled by the vapourized garbage gas have achieved a total running time of only 85 hours since operations began in January 2008. Apparently the engines have been shut down frequently for extended periods because Plasco has been unable to keep exhaust pollutant levels below provincial ministry limits. The ability of the Plasco technology to work within acceptable limits has always been a concern and now the scope of the problem is becoming clearer.

Some of the concerns I expressed in an earlier post (Plasco Fiasco) appear to hold more than a grain of truth. The concept of converting waste to energy using plasma gas technology is controversial because:

1. it is an unproven technology with potentially dangerous long-term effects resulting for emissions of micro-particles into the atmosphere;
2. it discourages consumers from practicing more environmentally friendly waste conservation methods; also,
3. the cost effectiveness of generating energy from domestic waste in this way remains questionable.

If the city prematurely signs on to a contract with Plasco CEO Rob Bryden it is taking on a huge risk and could well end up with a huge white elephant on its hands. The Plasco Fiasco post also notes that Bryden has a track record using other people’s money to run his businesses, usually managing to run them into the ground or sell them off for a loss.

Plasco/City of Ottawa Contract needs a rethink

Randall Denley is rightly critical of current city plans for garbage disposal and recycling (Garbage disposal plans need to be sorted out, Randall Denley, Ottawa citizen, Jan 17, 2010). Adding to Denley’s comments I have some further concerns. Testing of the Plasco system undertaken so far at the Trail Road site has involved incineration of pre-green-bin recycling garbage. This includes a large percentage of biodegradable waste with relatively high water content. Post green-bin recycling garbage incineration will therefore have a significantly different mix with a potentially larger concentration of toxic materials.

There are some unknown factors that need to be answered before any long-term contract is signed with Plasco. Further tests need to de conducted to determine the incineration efficiency of the new garbage mix as well as measurement of smoke stack effluents for dioxins and other toxic emissions.