Biofuels from household waste could soon be produced in Sooke with a new multi-million-dollar facility proposed by a Calgary-based energy company.
VDQ-NRG introduced its $55-million proposal to Sooke council on Monday.
Although the company doesnB次元官网网址檛 have a plant in operation yet, it is looking at 15 properties worldwide to begin production, said James Kernaghan, vice-president of strategy for VDQ-NRG.
The company uses two technologies to convert garbage to energy. Electro-depolymerization converts waste plastics into pyro crude oil, while hydrothermal liquefaction, a continuous thermal-chemical process, breaks down and liquefies organic materials.
B次元官网网址淭he basic concept of our business is that humans produce garbage and we need energy. It seems like a pretty happy circular economy,B次元官网网址� Kernaghan said.
Council members appeared enthusiastic about the project.
B次元官网网址淭his seems like a very science-fiction magic bullet,B次元官网网址� said Coun. Jeff Bateman.
How It Works
VDQ-NRGB次元官网网址檚 plant would send municipal waste to Sooke rather than the Hartland landfill in Saanich. In Sooke, the garbage is sorted into different categories, depending on how it can be used commercially.
The waste is turned into energy using thermochemical processes, with no need to reduce the moisture content of the trash.
The process integrates several technologies, including hydrothermal liquefaction and electro-depolymerization. End products include high-grade distillate, syngas, bio-crude oil, carbon black and other by-products. Water can be reclaimed and utilized as necessary.
Kernaghan said VDQ-NRG is not expecting to process all the waste sent to the Hartland landfill, only waste generated in the Sooke area B次元官网网址� about 40,000 tonnes per year. As usual, garbage collection would happen, with trash collectors paying a tipping fee to VDQ-NRG.
Because of the technology used, there would be minimal impact on SookeB次元官网网址檚 air quality, Kernaghan said. B次元官网网址淲e are not an incinerator. We do not burn garbage. As a result, there are no emissions from the plant. The biggest emitters on site are the garbage trucks.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址楢 Circular EconomyB次元官网网址�
VDQ-NRG is interested in creating a B次元官网网址渃ircular economy solutionB次元官网网址� to reusing waste in Greater Victoria. Circular economies are built on the idea that instead of a material being used once and then discarded, it gets reused.
B次元官网网址淲e can take about 90 per cent of what normally goes into a landfill,B次元官网网址� Kernaghan said. B次元官网网址淲hat we canB次元官网网址檛 use is glass, ceramic, dirt, rocks, gypsum rock, asbestos, anything mineral-based.B次元官网网址�
Cost and Opportunities
VDQ-NRG was approached 10 weeks ago by the district, which is looking to reduce the communityB次元官网网址檚 carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions while at the same time increasing investment and job creation.
Kernaghan anticipates 35 full-time jobs would be created by VDQ-NRG, with an average salary of $80,000 per year.
The plan includes entering a revenue-sharing agreement where Sooke would receive a portion of the facilityB次元官网网址檚 profits. Any agreement between the district and company will be based on the results of a feasibility study.
B次元官网网址淭he financial models have to make sense in a community,B次元官网网址� Kernaghan said. B次元官网网址淟ong term, we are going to share some of the revenue with the community. We donB次元官网网址檛 ever want to be a burden in a community.B次元官网网址�
The Sooke plant would take as much space as a Wal-Mart store.
VDQ-NRG has approached local property owners about the acquisition of land.
Company officials plan to visit Sooke in March to begin negotiations with the district. The project will still need to go through a formal application and regulatory process.
Kernaghan said construction could begin this year.
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