Successful SRF workshop in Madrid

More than 200 people attended the SRF workshop in Madrid on 17 November 2009. Keynote speakers from throughout Europe showed that SRF can be an important sustainable fuel. Read more...

 

 The interest in SRF is ever increasing.This can be concluded from the very successful conference that was held in Madrid. More than 200 people from industry, authorities and science took note of the excellent presentations. As a kick-off Pedro Luis Martin Uribe, State Secretary of Energy of the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade of Spain, set out the overall framework.Spain is already well advanced in sustainable energy, yet much more must be done.The use of SRF is to become an important element in the further growth so that 20% sustainable energy can be reached in 2020. ERFO's representative Eric Waeyenbergh explained that the overall goal is to develop an international market for SRF. To support this development, ERFO co-organizes workshops throughout Europe.

Alvaro Feliu, environmental consultant and author of the book "Eco-efficient energy recovery from waste, potential in Spain", sees good opportunities for SRF in Spain.He stressed the important distinction between SRF and "RDF". RDF is any waste material that, due to its calorific value, could be used for incineration. SRF is a prepared material, derived from defined types of waste and meeting the standards as developed by CEN/TC343. SRF is well defined material which characteristics are known to the client. Mr. Feliu summed up the many advantages of SRF, such as the reduction of CO2 emissions and the strategic role as alternative tp fossil fuels. The important contribution of SRF to good waste management was also emphasized by Bernd Gawlik of the European Commission (Joint Reasearch Centre). He convincingly put forward that production and use of SRF must be developed now.

Various speakers from throughout Europe gave examples of the beneficial use of SRF.Thomas Glorius of Remondis showed the successful application in a coal fired power plant. Amanda Gascoyne of Shanks impressed the audience with the scale of SRF production from MSW in the UK. Alba Segura from Veolia gave proof of the widespread use of SRF in various countries where Veolia has built production capacity. The cases she presented also showed the good acceptance of the use of SRF amongst public. Luca Zucchelli, delegate of the Italian Ministry of Environment, presented the developments in Italy.

Very interesting to see is  that SRF is safely used as a fuel in such delicate surroundings as the food industry. Karl Heinz Plepla of Nehlsen Contracting GmbH presented the case of a potato processing plant which produces its own heat and power purely from SRF. The use of SRF can be highly increased when also the EU standards of CEN/TC343 are taken as a base for communication between supplier and client, as Martin Frankenhaeuser (chairman of CEN/TC343) explained.

Also in Spain the conditions for the development of SRF look good. As Margarita Ruiz Saiz-Aja (technical adviser of the General Directorate for sustainable production and consumption of the Environment, rural and marine affairs in Spain) pointed out, much of the waste that currently still goes to the landfill should in future be treated for a large part in Mechanical Biological Treatment plants. Companies like CESPA and Heraholding are already investing in production capacity for SRF, as Ferran Relea and Lluis Otero informed the audience. Sheila Rodriguez (ASERMA) took the perspective of wood, which can also be an excellent resource to produce SRF from. As for the use of SRF José Manuel Rivero of Hidroeléctrica del Cantábrico presented opportunities to that exist in Spain. Nicolás Gaminde focused on the good position SRF might have in the cement industry in Spain. The good perspectives of SRF in Spain were also highlighted by Julio Artigas Cano de Santayana, Head of the Biomass and Waste Department of IDEA.