The use of a range of waste products to produce heat and power. This is normally associated with large-scale, mass-burn, combustion technologies, however, the technology in this sector is being constantly developed and upgraded. Modern technology is used to sort and sterilise waste. Gasification or pyrolysis can be used instead of combustion processes and specific types of plant can be as small as 1 Mw. In addition, refined refuse derived fuel (RFD) could be used in the domestic home to produce heat from a biomass boiler system.

Advantages

· Could be integrated into the development's sustainability plan.
· Reduces waste disposal costs and transport movements.
· Cost effective energy source.

Limitations

· Public perception
· High initial capital costs.
· Planning and consenting issues.

Costs

· Capital costs are estimated to be in excess of £2 million per Mw installed.
· Could produce a payback better than 5 years if disposal costs (i.e. tipping to landfill fees) can be attributed to the project.

Applications

For this development, a small scale plant waste CHP would not be practical. A recycling centre on the development or close by could produce cost effective feedstock for a biomass CHP or smaller domestic, industrial or commercial biomass heating systems.