EfW

EMERALD ENERGY FROM WASTE

EMERALD ENERGY FROM WASTE

Background

Located in Brampton, ON, Emerald Energy from Waste (Emerald) was established in 1992 to recover energy from municipal and commercial waste for use in the community. Emerald is currently approved for processing up to 500 t/d of waste and recovers 10 MW of energy. The energy we recover is used in two ways:

■ Steam – which is sold to local industry

■ Electricity – which is sold to the electrical grid

Emerald employs over 40 people and annually contributes $3 million to our local economy. Emerald is the longest-running Energy from Waste facility in Ontario with a 30-year track record of meeting Ontario’s stringent emission standards.

Emerald is affiliated with the U-Pak Group of Companies, a privately held Canadian company and one of Ontario's largest independent recycling businesses. U-Pak operates a fleet of over 200 vehicles, offering a wide range of waste diversion services. Together with U-Pak Group of Companies, Emerald helps our customers across Ontario achieve their Zero Waste to landfill goals while supporting our community with energy recovery services.

Proposed Redevelopment

Emerald proposes redeveloping our site to install modern, more efficient technology. The redevelopment will occur in phases, increasing our processing capacity to 2,500 t/d of municipal and commercial waste and our energy recovery rate to 100 MW.

With these technological upgrades, Emerald will have the potential to develop new energy products, including hydrogen for use in the transportation sector and district heating for local commercial or high-rise residential buildings.

In addition to diverting waste from landfill and recovering energy, this project will be a significant economic development opportunity for our community. Along with the significant capital investment, the redevelopment project will create:

■ 000’s of local skilled trades and labour jobs during construction

■ 75 permanent direct jobs

■ 00’s of supplier jobs through on-going support for local businesses

As an industry leader, Emerald will continue to meet the stringent health-based emission standards set by the Ontario government.

Diverting waste from landfill will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from Ontario’s waste management sector. Recovering energy will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from Ontario’s commercial and transportation industries.

ONTARIO’S WASTE MANAGEMENT CRISIS

Ontario Needs An Alternative To Landfill Disposal

A safe, sustainable waste management system is essential to our modern society. Even with effective recycling programs, population growth is stressing our waste infrastructure. The Ontario Waste Management Association estimates that our landfills will be filled by 2036.

We must act. Developing a new landfill is a lengthy, expensive and uncertain process. While Ontario has a few active landfill projects, these only replace some of our diminishing capacity. Without a made-in-Ontario solution, we will increasingly rely on landfill disposal in the United States – this is unsustainable.

Estimated Remaining Landfill Capacity in Years (OWMA, 2021)

ONTARIO’S ENERGY CHALLENGE

Ontario Needs More Generating Capacity

The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) identified Ontario’s need for more power supply:

Near Term (2022-2026) - Capacity Constraints

■ Pickering nuclear power station will retire in 2026

■ Bruce, Darlington is being refurbished

Mid Term (2026 to 2030) - Demand Growth

■ Growing population in urban areas

■ Development of industrial corridors

Long Term (>2030) - Higher Demand

■ Expanding electric transportation infrastructure (cars, transit)

Annual Planning Outlook: Ontario's electricity system needs 2023-2042 (IESO, 2021)

ENERGY FROM WASTE HAS A ROLE

Addressing the Waste Crisis

Energy from waste will help resolve the waste management crisis.

■ Reducing the volume of waste requiring disposal by over 90%

■ Significantly extending the life of Ontario’s existing landfills

■ Eliminating or deferring the need for new landfill capacity

■ Recovering valuable resources such as metals from materials that cannot be recycled

Meeting Ontario’s Energy Needs

Energy from waste will help Ontario respond to its energy challenges.

■ Increasing the resiliency of Ontario’s grid through local electricity generation

■ Contributing to grid stability and reliability through value-added services (current/voltage regulation, black start)

■ Providing opportunities for new energy products, including district heating and hydrogen

Protecting Health & Environment

Energy from waste will protect human health and the environment.

■ Continuing to meet Ontario’s stringent emission criteria

■ Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from landfill disposal

■ Eliminating contaminant and greenhouse gas emissions from trucks hauling waste to remote landfills

■ Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the commercial and transportation sector by providing alternative energy products such as hydrogen and district heating