Energy from Waste Feasibility Study: A Future Fuel Source for Markham's District Energy System
Type of initiative
FCM Green Municipal Fund - Plans, Studies, Pilots
Sector
Waste
Project value$38,105
Project Type
Feasibility Study
Sub Sector
MSW to Energy
Grant amount$19,052
Program type
GMF
Municipality
City of Markham, ON
Status
Fully Disbursed
Population
338,503
Project timeline
2005 - 2011
Project number
3645
Description
Markham District Energy Inc. (MDEI) will look at the economic and technical feasibility of using fuel extracted from organic waste for its district heating system (DES). This is the first Canadian study of blending biogas with natural gas to fuel an urban-sited district energy plant. There is also the potential that the fuel could be used for the production of both electricity and thermal energy (hot water, steam or chilled water). Expected benefits are threefold: provide local waste management and processing solutions; allow MDEI to hedge the volatility and high cost of natural gas; and lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and contribute to improved air quality. A high value-for-cost project with a good potential for reduction of GHG emissions, this project will complement other studies on waste management plans and anaerobic digester projects.
Applicant
Markham District Energy Inc., ON