For more information, contact:
Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc.
(703) 573-5800 / www.gbbinc.com
Fairfax, VA (October 26, 2011) – Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc. (GBB) announced today that a detailed engineering and economic evaluation for the use of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) as fuel in the generation of power utilizing various conversion technologies and parameters has been initiated for the Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. (EPRI) after being selected through a formal procurement process. The intent of the evaluation is to provide a current status on the technologies associated with MSW, including performance data, cost (capital, operation & maintenance (O&M), and levelized cost of electricity (LCOE)), and prospects for future improvement of the technology types. The study will be part of EPRI’s overall research and development relating to the generation, delivery, and use of electricity for the benefit of the public.
“GBB’s reputation and expertise with regard to waste-to-energy (WTE) and conversion technologies (CT) is very impressive. This translated into a high level of understanding of our needs and very sensible approach to the project,” noted Clarence L. Lyons, EPRI Project Manager. “The Project Team is composed of experienced individuals with very diverse, complementary backgrounds and areas of specialization which is ideal for this type of study.”
“This project is a natural fit for GBB, since we’ve worked on more than 90 WTE projects ranging from the initial feasibility study and economic analysis to vendor negotiations, assisting in financing activities by coordinating the process and preparing the feasibility reports for the official statements, monitoring construction, performance testing, and overseeing commercial operations,” said Tom Reardon, GBB Vice President and Project Manager for this assignment. “In addition, GBB’s constantly updated database of WTE and alternative technology companies currently includes over 550 companies and will serve as a key reference for the project.”
The GBB Project Team developed the design basis and economic assumptions for use in the evaluation. Technology overviews will be performed, summarizing factors such as regulatory environment affecting the implementation and use of MSW conversion technologies; current status and maturity of developing waste conversion technologies; and a summary of the O&M-related differences between each. The technologies evaluated will be mass burn WTE facilities; refuse-derived fuel-co-firing systems; and landfill gas utilization, along with providing an overview of other MSW conversion technologies. EPRI will utilize the resulting evaluations in the annual updates of its Renewable Energy Technology Guide (RETG), which is a key product of its renewable energy program (Program 84).
An independent, nonprofit organization, EPRI brings together its scientists and engineers as well as experts from academia and industry to help address challenges in electricity, including reliability, efficiency, health, safety, and the environment. EPRI also provides technology, policy, and economic analyses to drive long-range research and development planning, and supports research in emerging technologies. EPRI’s members represent more than 90 percent of the electricity generated and delivered in the United States, and international participation extends to 40 countries.
GBB is a national solid waste management consulting firm founded in 1980 that works on solid waste collection, processing, recycling, and disposal issues and assists in planning, procuring, and implementing sound, cost-effective facilities and services at the local, state, and national levels for both the public and private sectors. For more information on the firm and its products and services, visit www.gbbinc.com or call 703-573-5800.
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