How energy
from waste works

Modern energy from waste technology combusts material that can’t be recycled or reused into energy. This technology is used around the world to safely manage waste at the scale needed for growing communities.

Parkes Energy Recovery will use modern moving grate technology to process approximately 732,000 tonnes of residual waste (material that can’t be recycled or reused in any other way) per year and turn it into energy sources such as heat, steam and electricity.

Energy from waste technology follows a safe, proven process:

1. Non-recyclable, non-hazardous residual waste is delivered to an enclosed bunker. In Parkes, this will come primarily via rail from Sydney and surrounding areas, with local waste arriving by truck. The bunker operates under negative air pressure to ensure there are no odour emissions.
2. Waste is processed through a high temperature moving grate system. Under NSW standards, these facilities are required to operate at a minimum of 850 degrees Celsius for at least two seconds to ensure materials are effectively broken down.
3. Steam is produced in a boiler system, which drives a turbine to generate energy sources. In Parkes, this will be used to power businesses within the SAP. Any remaining energy will be exported to the grid to support the local community.
4. Byproducts will be safely captured. Reusable byproducts will be recovered and processed for new uses, including road base and construction materials. Byproducts that cannot be reused will be disposed of at an approved licensed facility. We expect this will be less than 3% of the total waste received, with over 97% of material able to be recovered and reused.

Modern energy from waste facilities use filtration and scrubbing systems to capture, clean and treat emissions before they are released. These facilities are embedded with continuous emissions monitoring systems that capture emissions data in real time and are designed to meet strict NSW requirements and international standards.

The Parkes energy from waste (EfW) facility is being designed to meet the requirements set by the NSW Government, which are among the strictest in the world.

EfW is a safe, proven technology used in hundreds of cities and regions around the world, including near farms and agricultural land.

These facilities are designed and built in accordance with the world-leading European Union (EU) regulations, which the NSW Government based its own standards on.

EU regulations impose strict controls on all EfW technologies, including the requirement to use Best Available Techniques (BATs), publish detailed monitoring data throughout their life, maintain strict emissions limits and prioritise energy efficiency.

The NSW Government has developed the most stringent EfW guidelines of any jurisdiction in Australia. For facilities to receive approval, they must first complete an Environmental Impact Statement.

Parkes Energy Recovery’s Environmental Impact Statement will establish the facility’s only site-specific evidence on air quality, human health, agricultural impacts and a range of other areas.

All assessments are required to meet all regulatory standards and will be made publicly available before the NSW Government decides whether the facility is approved.

To put it simply, if we cannot demonstrate that this facility is safe, it will not be approved to be built.