Tees Valley 2 suspended
19 February 2016Work on Air Products’ second Westinghouse-plasma-based waste gasification facility in Tees Valley (TV2) remains suspended, pending resolution of problems at the first unit (TV1). The 49.9 MWe (1000 t/d MSW) units were intended to be identical, with Amec Foster Wheeler EPC contractor on TV1 and Air Products acting as its own EPC contractor on TV2.
In November Air Products said that "after careful consideration we have made a decision to temporarily suspend construction of our second energy from waste project (TV2) in Tees Valley, UK...the duration of the suspension is yet to be determined but we remain committed to completing both facilities as soon as possible."
“We will work with our contactors to wind down TV2 construction activity in a controlled way", said Air Products. "As with many ground breaking projects, improvements are identified as construction advances and new solutions put in place. This is the case for our first renewable energy facility currently being built (TV1). The learnings we are making here will be applicable to our second plant. By deferring construction we will be able to ensure any modifications are applied to TV2 in a cost-effective way when activity is resumed. Work on our first renewable energy project will not be interrupted. Our team remains focused on safe construction of this plant, as we continue progression through to its operation. Although not part of our original plan, in the long-term, this decision will aid the overall operational success and future of both our renewable energy facilities at Teesside."
A novel feature of TV1 and TV2, in addition to use of the Westinghouse plasma, is that the power blocks employ combined cycle technology, thought to be the first application in a power from waste facility.
As from the summer of 2015, the Westinghouse plasma technology has been Chinese owned, with the acquisition of Canada-based AlterNRG by Sunshine Kaidi New Energy Group.
(Originally published in MPS January 2016)
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