Reuse of Wood Scraps and Auto Shredder Residue as Alternative Energy Source

Summary

Texas Utilities Electricity & Gas Company has developed a synergy to reuse wood waste from its tree trimming activities that may form the base for a biomass-fuelled electricity generation unit. Other wood scrap - including pallets, reels, etc. - may be included as well. The independent power producer that builds the unit will be able to sell the generated electricity to the Texas grid, and as a result, may be eligible for both tax credits and renewable energy generation credits. Additionally Auto Shredder Residue (ASR) can be used as an alternative fuel source. In North Texas 120,000 tons of ASR mined for metal reclamation and ASR remaining after metal recovery can be used for power generation.

Industry

Industry Sector	Specific Industry
Energy utility sector	Electricity company
Recycling sector	Recycling company (auto shredder residue)

Region

North Texas, USA.

Applied Technologies

• Biomass – fuelled electricity generation unit

Triple Bottom Line Aspects (direct at operational level)

Economic	Potential decrease in energy production costs Potential savings in waste disposal costs
Environment	Increased resource efficiency Decrease of fossil fuel consumption and associated CO2 emissions
Social	Job satisfaction and employment

Additional Comments

None.

References

• Elements (n.d.) "Examples of By-Product Synergies - New Jersey Project", Retrieved from: http://www.marc.org/Environment/SolidWaste/pdfs/BPS_case_studies.pdf

Last Update

18 January 2007