Hansard

Refuse-Derived Fuel

Volume 184: debated on Friday 25 January 1991

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Mr. Janman

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what action his Department is taking to encourage the use of refined refuse-derived fuel by the small-scale off-site user.

Mr. Moynihan

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave him on 14 January at columns 447–48, and to the answer that I gave him today in connection with current refuse-derived fuel research and development projects. My Department is considering all of the possible uses for refuse-derived fuels, outside the domestic sector.

Mr. Janman

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to the answer of 14 January, Official Report, columns 447—48, what are his criteria for defining economically viable and environmentally acceptable.

Mr. Moynihan

Within my Department's renewables programme an economically viable technology is one where the rate of return offered to an investor is adequate to promote the investment, taking into account the particular circumstances of the market sector concerned.The environmental acceptability of renewable energy resources is being considered within the research and development programme undertaken by my Department. Renewable energy will be developed only if it can meet the various environmental standards appropriate for the activity concerned. Those technologies which can meet such standards are environmentally acceptable.

Mr. Janman

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the 12 refuse-derived fuels research and development projects currently operating; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Moynihan

The 12 current refuse-derived fuel research and development projects are as follows:

  • 1. Refuse-derived fuel combustion trials.
  • 2. Assessment of the suitability of a modified chain grate stoker shell boiler for the combustion of RDF pellets.
  • 3. Fundamental studies into RDF combustion.
  • 4. Development of the chain grate stoker shell boiler.
  • 5. Development of existing systems for RDF combustion.
  • 6. RDF combustion programme consultancy service.
  • 7. Field trial on a boiler fitted with a gas scrubber.
  • 8. Chain grate stoker and wet scrubber—monitoring.
  • 9. Co-firing of RDF with coal in a large PF boiler.
  • 10. RDF combustion—a technoeconomic feasibility study.
  • 11. An assessment of RDF processing costs.
  • 12. Storage and handling of RDF.

    • Mr. Janman

    To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Cardiff, West (Mr. Morgan) of 19 December 1990, Official Report, columns 162–63, if he will make it his policy to introduce a separate category of bio-fuels, apart from the generic heading of waste incineration, to cover such items as refined refuse-derived fuels.

    Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

    My right hon. Friend will determine the technology bands to be included in the 1991 Renewables Order at a later stage, in the light of the statutory consultations.