Comment and Analysis
Expert views on waste and bioenergy markets, technologies, facilities and government policies.
EWB Insight report: March 2021
This month: Welsh government brings in immediate moratorium on 10MWe+ EfW capacity, RDF sector questions Eunomia’s support after it releases another anti-EfW report and a full facilities round up
Keeping the fires out and the lights on
Fire is a critical risk for power generation sites, but blazes remain all too common. James Mountain, sales and marketing director, Fire Shield Systems, explores the issues surrounding fire prevention and protection for power stations
EWB Insight Report: February 2021
This month: Who will build the UK’s pipeline of EfW plants, NGOs “misrepresent” bioenergy, several businesses make moves in the biogas sector, and a full facilities round-up
Why business is hotting up for EfW
Few will remember 2020 as their favourite year, but one positive outcome could be the growth of the energy-from-waste sector, with a flurry of deals meaning heat networks may soon be widespread across the UK, Becca Challis reports
Coal mining ‘necessary evil’ as alternative fuel sector ramps up
Waste Knot Energy (WKE) managing director, Roger Ferguson, says he is not surprised at the recent controversy surrounding planning for a Cumbrian coal mine
EWB Insight report: Dec/Jan 2021
This month: Could 2021 mark a change in PR strategy for EfW, pressure increase on the Dutch to drop waste-import tax, dire warning of lack of waste investment in NI and a full facilities round up
EWB Insight report: November 2020
This month: The EU ETS should not be extended to EfW plants, BWSC shifts away from EfW and bioenergy plant builds, Suez and BP work on the UK’s first CCS project at an EfW plant, still no EIA for the Barry biomass plant and Nature Energy is building another large-scale facility
EWB Insight report: October 2020
This month: Two judicial reviews and two wins for the EfW plants, crooks cashing in on plastic exports, Edmonton EfW plant deal down to three bidders, Corby EfW plant develops, Lynemouth Power offline and Ductor to deliver 200 biogas-producing plants
What makes a supportive policy environment for AD?
Mark Sommerfeld, policy manager at the Association of Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA) and Chris Winward, chief commercial officer at Privilege Finance, share their views on what a truly supportive policy for AD looks like
EWB Insight report: September 2020
This month: English RDF exports collapse, Norway’s CCUS project moves forward, LafargeHolcim reveals plans to double waste processing by 2030 and Severn Water unveiled plans for another thermal hydrolysis-powered facility
EWB Insight report: August 2020
This month: Three more waste-gasification hit the buffers, UK faces legal action over excluding EfW plants from its planned ETS, Covanta calls for “dialogue” with protesters and Hoddesdon and Uskmouth-based facilities move forward
How can the waste sector help the UK accelerate towards net zero?
David Cullen, programme director for the North London Heat and Power Project, considers a new report from Policy Connect about the waste sector’s role in achieving ‘net zero’
EWB Insight report: June 2020
This month: Political moves hit the EfW sector in Denmark and Germany, politician backtracks after criticising a waste to energy plant, MVV wins “rare” ruling, Amey’s Waterbeach facility loses appeal, and a full facilities round up
EWB Insight report: May 2020
This month: Could CCS at biomass-fired and EfW plants be on the brink of commercial scale success, legal challenge to EU’s bioenergy support is shut down, UK sets new bioenergy record and a new energy recovery plant is planned for Essex
EWB Insight report: April 2020
This month: Facilities moved forward for Wheelabrator, several other UK-based EfW plants progressed, while policy and business remains severely affected by the global coronavirus outbreak
Biogas plants winning the battle against grit
Taking digesters offline to remove the debris that inevitably builds up over time is anathema to many operators. One company tackled the problem by combining a powerful degritter with a chopper pump. Christopher French reports
EWB Insight report: March 2020
This month: Coronavirus outbreak and subsequent lockdown hits the waste and bioenergy sector, Viridor is due to have new owners and a coal-to-waste conversion develops. Read also our full facilities roundup
EWB Insight report: February 2020
This month: Another developer fails to crack planning consent for an EfW plant in south-east UK, Drax could be coal-free in a year, wood pellets push up EU renewables, and a full facilities round-up
EWB Insight report: January 2020
This month: Dutch waste tax hits UK exports, Brexit will hit EU’s bioenergy production, AEB is up for sale and there are several EFW facilities developments
EWB Insight report: December 2019
This month: Dutch waste tax confirmed, another EfW plant builder in administration, WI BAT published, Drax to be “carbon neutral” by 2030, plus a full facilities round-up
EWB Insight report: November 2019
This month: RRS insolvency details revealed, UK exports of waste to drop, Viridor takes legal action and two legal actions against UK-based EfW plant build fail
EWB Insight report: October 2019
This month: Is rail the future for waste transport, landfill will take the brunt of a no-deal Brexit, planning snubs for Nu-Energy EfW plant, but go ahead for Verus Energy Oak and Veolia facilities
How optimising EfW plants can help industry's image
EfW facilities will play an increasing role as fossil fuels are phased out. Making them more efficient by using new technology and data monitoring can boost their renewables credentials and public perception, argues Tim McNeilly
Why Scotland chose to delay its controversial landfill ban
Plan to bring in ban in 2021 would have left about a million tonnes of waste with “nowhere to go”
EWB Insight report: September 2019
This month: Only two EfW projects gain CfD support, developments at the delayed Renaissance and Port Clarence facilities, as well as the liquidation of a biomass plant operator and the usual facilities roundup
EWB Insight report: August 2019
This month: Three major new EfW plants progress, waste exports from England drop, UK waste wood market to import feedstock and a full facilities update
EWB Insight report: July 2019
This month: Waste fires a burning issue for energy recovery sector, Dutch government proposes a waste import tax, Veolia gets another no from the government for a Hertfordshire-based EfW plant and a full facilities round up
What does Biffa’s China dumping conviction mean for the waste sector?
The waste sector is reeling from the conviction of one of the industry's largest companies for illegally sending waste abroad. It has led to questions over which other firms the EA has in its sights and whether or not export laws are clear enough. Conor McGlone reports.
Gate fees will push EfW growth
As support is phased out for other renewable-energy projects and gasification technology matures, the energy-from-waste sector will play an increasing role in the UK's energy mix, argue Matthew Williams and Yohanna Weber
EWB Insight report: Jun 2019
This month: Government call-ins impact on two EfW plant developments, WI BAT signed off, Ørsted ditches biogas but will keep working on delayed Renescience plant, and a full facilities round-up
Future-proofing energy recovery
As the energy-from-waste sector continues to grow and evolve in the UK, Roberto Vogel and Timothy Byrne review the fate of the UK's first generation of plants, what we can learn from their demise and what has changed
EWB Insight report: May 2019
This month: More woes for the waste gasification sector, new EfW facilities being developed by FCC and Veolia, the world’s largest biogas plant is opened and a full facilities roundup
Andusia warns of waste treatment cap
Over the next five years we'll only see more of a shortage in vital waste treatment facilities being built in the UK, says waste exporter Andusia director Steve Burton
EWB Insight report: Apr 2019
This month; Scotland faces infrastructure capacity gap as 2021 landfill band looms, EC does not sign green gas pledge, new EfW plant becomes operational in Scotland and a full facilities round up
EWB Insight report: Mar 2019
This month: Another mixed month for gasification-equipped projects, legal challenge over RED II biomass support causes concerns, call for progress on UK introducing E10 and a full facilities round up
EWB Insight report: Feb 2019
This month: Is the UK halfway through building a portfolio of EfW plants, facilites progress in Corby, Darwen and the Rookery South EfW faces yet another day in court
EWB Insight report: Dec/Jan 2019
This month: Another EfW is "called in", another project drops out of the UK's CfD process, Brexit causes issues for waste exporters and a full facilities round up
EWB Insight report: November 2018
This month: Interserve's woes continued, could the plug be pulled on the Port Clarence biomass-fired plant, the UK throws a lifeline to ACT-equipped waste processing plants and a full facilities round up
EWB Insight report: October 2018
This month: Tough time for the biofuel sector, UK-based projects drop out of CfD process, Ireland's lack of landfill capacity an emergency and a full round facilities round up
EWB Insight report: September 2018
This month: More problems for waste gasification plants, DG Environment gives "early warning reports" to 14 member states, UK makes it tougher for wood-fired builds and a full facilities round up for the month
EWB Insight report: August 2018
This month: Could the UK bring in an "incineration tax", EC launches bioethanol investigation, exports of RDF from the UK drop again as well as a full facilities round up
EWB Insight report: June 2018
This month: Is small the future for EfW plants, policy progress on RED II and the circular economy package as well as a full round up of waste and bioenergy facilities
EWB Insight report: May 2018
This month: Legal action over a UK EfW plant has prompted calls for a change in the law, an RDF "loophole", biomass plants face feedstock shortages and a full facilities round up
EWB Insight report: April 2018
This month: WI Bref talks near finishing line, the EU's circular economy package progresses, new owners for Clearfleau and a full biogas, biomass and EfW facilities round up
EWB Insight report: March 2018
This month: UK AD sector faces tough economic outlook, hope for crop-based biofuels, cement sector calls for financial support to use biomass and a full facilities round up
EWB Insight report: February 2018
This month: Falling subsides and feedstock issues driving biogas consolidation, UK starts RHI work, Ireland pledges more support for 'home grown' biomass and a full facilities round up
EWB Insight report: January 2018
This month: Straw-fired power starts 2018 strongly, RED II goes the way of bioenergy, Drax to convert a fourth unit and a full facilities round up
Comment: Circular Economy - tremendous slow down
Energy-from-waste trade association CEWEP's secretary general, Dr Ella Stengler, appeals to Member States not to see landfill diversion as a burden, but as an opportunity to improve their waste management systems
EWB Insight report: December 2017
This month: IBA pushes up recycling levels, the end for coal, waste wood legislation in the UK and a full facilities round up
EWB Insight report: November 2017
This month: The ESA takes on Eunomia in the on-going row over a looming UK waste-capacity gap, Autumn Budget is badly received by waste and bioenergy sectors and a full facilities round up
EWB Insight report: October 2017
This month: Developing RED II looks good for the waste and bioenergy sectors while crop-based biofuels face a tough future. Plus a full round up of October's waste and bioenergy facilities
EWB Insight: September 2017
This month: Indian EfW market ripe for investment, biofuel market woes, several waste supply deals and the latest developments at waste, biomass and biogas facilities across Europe
EWB Insight: August 2017
This month: UK EfW capacity row reignites, RHI confusion continues, newly privatised GIB sell off waste and bioenergy investments and a full facilities round up
EWB Insight: July 2017
This month: Biofuel to come of age, boost for gasification, falling gate fees for biogas and EfW plants as well as a full round of waste and bioenergy facility news
EWB Insight: June 2017
This month: RED draft revealed, issues at the Poolbeg EfW development, Biffa to develop two energy recovery plants and Sweden loses imported biogas legal argument
EWB Insight: May 2017
This month: CEWEP gives some early thoughts on the first draft of the waste incineration BREF, German biogas businesses reveal mixed fortunes and several waste and biomass-fired projects reach crucial stages
EWB Insight: April 2017
This month: Gasification back on the agenda, biomass supports CO2 emission cuts as coal phase out begins and more boosts for the biogas sector
Rise of energy recovery?
Concerns around Brexit, incineration capacity and the impact on recycling rates are clouding the energy-from waste landscape in the UK
EWB Insight: March 2017
This month: The end of EfW catchment areas, European Commission backs biomass and a senior member of power station Drax's staff joins UK government advisory body
EWB Insight: January 2017
This month: Northern Ireland's government collapses over biomass subsidies, a stronger circular economy, plus new deals in the biomass and energy-from-waste sector.
EWB Insight: December 2016
This month: All eyes on Drax, new deals for Suez and a turn of fortunes predicted for waste processing ACT technologies
EWB Insight: February 2017
This month: The UK urged to ditch "ill defined" circular economy package, Commission debates over recycling type and volumes and is the EfW sector facing a "transitional" period
EWB Insight: November 2016
This month: The Winter Package launches a new chapter for waste and bioenergy, EfW growth led by Asia and a full facilities round up
Why 'right touch' not 'light touch' biomass regulation is what we need in Europe
Drax Group director of corporate affairs, Matthew Rivers, examines the role biomass could have in the upcoming Winter Package
EWB Insight: October 2016
This month: Bioenergy battle lines drawn up as sustainability policy due to be announced, UK bioenergy outstrips other renewables, a takeover deal for Rusforest and Biffa returns to the stock exchange
EWB Insight: August 2016
This month: UK passes peak EfW development, German biogas woes continue and a full facilities update
EWB Insight: September 2016
This month: Falling price of Danish waste hitting investments, Germany's waste imports fall but the amount of UK waste it takes rises and Lietuvos Energija gets EU state aid clearance for a vast multi-fuel plant
EWB Insight: July 2016
This month: UK's waste gasification sector takes a knock, ADBA conference round up and the end to subsidies for first generation biofuels post 2020
Nearly final combustion plant BREF raises standards
Gasification, plasma gasification and multi-fuel combustion added to the final draft LCP BREF
EWB Insight: June 2016
This month: UK looks to the positives for energy-from-waste after Brexit vote, EfW’s developing role in the circular economy and positive developments on coal-to-biomass conversion projects in Denmark and Belgium.
EWB Insight: May 2016
This month: Covanta returns to the UK, US imports of biomass up again and could we reach waste processing capacity by 2030?
Bioplant points to efficient future
Renescience Northwhich will be the world's first commercial full-scale bioplant of its kind when it opens next year in Cheshire. Thomas Dalsgaard reports on how enzymes and warm water will help turn household waste into energy
EWB Insight: April 2016
This month: Bioenergy businesses set out their positions ahead of the EU's sustainability consultation closing, English RDF exports rocket, Air Product's EfW business collapses and a major wood pellet producer cuts production.
EWB Insight: March 2016
This month: Could waste processing CfD projects be under threat of losing funding, pellet prices close in on oil and all the latest policy, market and facilities updates from the waste and bioenergy sector
EWB Insight: February 2016
This month: Europe's waste and bioenergy sector has experienced unprecedented investment from China. Could UK waste businesses such as Biffa be next on the Asian giant's shopping list?
EWB Insight: January 2016
This month: Bioenergy investors and operators urged to ride out the low oil price storm, Abengoa up for grabs, and EfW scores a first for carbon capture
EWB Insight: December 2015
The December insight finds the European EWB sectors ending the year in relatively good health, with technological and market development continuing apace.
EWB Insight: November 2015
The UK's decision to dump coal in November, could open the door to bioenergy
EWB Insight: October 2015
Scandinavian EfW sector will start to feel the pressure as other countries bring capacity into operation
EWB Insight: September 2015
Bioenergy industries brace for the EU circular economy package as rows over renewable energy subsidy changes sour the mood
EWB Insight: August 2015
The latest EWB Insight report covers biogas subsidy changes, Austria's plan to cut waste wood incineration as well as the latest facility and market news
EWB Insight: July 2015
The latest EWB Insight report covers Irish biomass updates, UK biogas reaching a milestone and the closure of a major German EfW plant
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