On 3rd September, MHEA members enjoyed a fascinating and highly informative visit to FCC Environmental’s Greatmoor Energy from Waste facility in Buckinghamshire.

Greatmoor can process up to 345,000 tonnes of residual, non-recyclable waste each year, diverting it from landfill and generating 25MW of electricity, enough to power approximately 65,000 homes.

During the guided tour, members were shown the tipping hall, where incoming vehicles deliver waste into the facility’s vast waste bunker. They also saw the impressive grab crane used to mix the waste and transfer it into the hopper, ready to enter the combustion process.

The tour continued into the combustion area, where the waste is burned on a grate at a minimum temperature of 850°C under carefully controlled conditions. Members were then shown the boiler, where heat from the combustion process converts water into superheated steam. This steam powers a turbine to generate electricity, which is then supplied to the National Grid.

Members also visited the flue gas treatment plant and learned about the processes used to remove pollutants with the gases passing through six-metre-high bag-house filters before being continually monitored to ensure emissions remain within the limits of the facility’s environmental permit.

The tour also included the Incinerator Bottom Ash recovery process, where the ash is cooled and metals are separated using magnets for recycling. The remaining bottom ash can then be recovered for use as an aggregate. Members were also shown the residue handling and treatment area, where Air Pollution Control Residues from the flue gas treatment process are collected before being removed from the site for further specialist treatment.

The visit was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone who attended. The level of knowledge, openness and engagement throughout the tour was excellent and a huge thank you goes to the FCC Environmental team for taking the time to host MHEA members and provide such an interesting and insightful experience.

The evening prior to the visit, MHEA members came together for an enjoyable networking dinner. It provided a fantastic opportunity to strengthen existing relationships and make new industry connections in a relaxed setting.  It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening and provided an excellent opportunity to bring together colleagues, industry peers and new connections in a relaxed and engaging setting.