What is Happening Now…
Elementa Group is a waste conversion technology company based out of St. Catharines Ontario. The Elementa technology takes household garbage and reforms it into green energy. Operating a pilot plant since 2007 in Sault Ste. Marie, the municipality has decided to move forward with Elementa’s technology, and has agreed to be the first in Canada to have a fully operational, Elementa Commercial Demonstration Plant.
As in all other power generation technologies, Elementa requires a constant supply of feedstock to power the process. The truly innovative aspect of Elementa process is this feedstock is garbage. Elementa requires a constant supply of household garbage, or municipal solid waste, in order to run the Elementa process continually.
The purpose of Elementa’s pilot plant was to test and receive government approvals for the patented Elementa technology. The necessary land and air emissions tests have been completed at this plant, with test results out performing global standards. The technology has proven itself as an effective means to both eliminate the need for landfill, and generate green power.
What is Changing…
Beginning construction in spring, 2010, fully operational by fall, 2011, the commercial demonstration plant will begin converting 35,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste into clean energy, annually generating approximately 6 megawatts of electricity, which is enough power for up to 5,000 homes! When compared to traditional landfill activities, approximately 24,000 tonnes of green house gases will be reduced annually in Sault Ste. Marie, which is the equivalent to taking 4,200 cars off the road!
Your garbage will be picked up curbside as usual; however instead of being taken to landfill, it will be taken to our plant to be reformed into green energy. There will be no difference in your current waste handling routine.
In the fall of 2011, when you dispose of your garbage you will, in turn be powering your community! Elementa provides a solution to global landfill and resulting environmental anxieties, while simultaneously providing the answer to global energy generation pressures. By throwing your garbage out – you will be creating green energy!
Highlights:
The planned footprint of the plant is approximately 20,000 square feet or about 200 feet by 100 feet. It will be located at 11 Wood Park Court, just off Base Line, next to Flakeboard Co. Ltd.
Construction is to begin spring, 2010, and be fully operational, fall 2011.
The plant will cost $30.6 million to build.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Will the proposed facility significantly increase traffic to the region?
• No, any increase in truck traffic will be minimal. About 10 to 15 Sault Ste. Marie disposal trucks a day will bring material to the plant using the proposed truck entry.
Will the proposed facility negatively affect the quality of the air in the region?
• No, the process takes place in a sealed kiln. Natural gas will be used to initiate the Elementa process and the clean synthetic gas that is produced will be used to continue it. The plant incorporates a number of proven commercially available gas cleaning technologies to remove any impurities that may be included in the syngas, so the final output comfortably exceeds the toughest environmental air emissions standards.
Will the proposed facility produce an unpleasant odour?
• No, there will be no long-term storage of any input material at the plant. Sault Ste Marie disposal trucks will bring waste material into the plant during the course of a week day. The proposed facility will process municipal solid waste in the enclosed building equipped with state-of-the-art odour control systems that prevent such odour pollution, both to the community and for the health and safety of plant personnel. Based on the experience garnered at the pilot plant already operating in Sault Ste. Marie, there will be no smell associated with operating the plant.
Will the proposed facility produce an excessive amount of noise?
• No, the proposed facility will not cause any significant increase in the amount of noise required than for traditional waste handling. There will be some minor industrial noise, e.g., loaders, etc. that will be monitored and are designed to meet labour standards, but nothing unusual for an industrial facility. The process occurs in a closed building, designed to minimize noise.
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