§ Jane GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will include energy from waste by pyrolysis in the renewables obligation. [157227]
§ Mr. HainNo firm commitment can yet be made regarding the status of pyrolysis or other energy from waste technologies under the Renewables Obligation. My Department is still considering the responses to the consultation document on the Obligation. A summary of the responses was published on 20 March, and we will publish our revised proposals as soon as possible.
§ Jane GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will assess the benefits of energy from waste generated by pyrolysis; [157225]
(2) if his Department will promote energy from waste by small-scale pyrolysis. [157228]
§ Mr. HainPyrolysis may prove to be a cleaner means of energy recovery from waste than incineration and cost-effective at a smaller scale. This could contribute to achieving the proximity principle proposed in the Government's Waste Strategy and complement local recycling schemes.
512WMy Department is currently supporting three research projects assessing the potential of pyrolysis through its New and Renewable Energy R&D Programme. These are two projects monitoring the waste gas technology installation at the Nash sewage works near Newport, South Wales and a comparative technical assessment of energy conversion technologies for municipal solid waste concentrating on pyrolysis being undertaken by Mitsui Babcock.
In addition, the Department's Programme supported earlier monitoring work with Compact Power that helped them move from pilot to demonstration.
The Programme maintains strong links with the IEA Bioenergy Agreement and through participation in this has access to relevant work in most other OECD countries.
§ Jane GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will assess the potential effect of pyrolysis on the level of the waste stream to landfill. [157226]
§ Mr. HainThe extent to which pyrolysis reduces the volume of waste to landfill depends very much on the pyrolysis technology employed. Some of these technologies produce a glass-like residue that can be used for road aggregate avoiding almost any landfill stream, some a lighter ash and some a charcoal-type material that can be quite bulky. However, I do wish to find ways of encouraging new technology that converts waste into renewable energy, after maximum recycling.