Mature, proven, technology
Modern energy recovery facilities are among the most heavily regulated industrial installations in the world and must meet strict environmental standards.
The TV ERF will use mature, proven and reliable technology to process waste and treat flue gases.
Like all energy recovery facilities, the TV ERF will be regulated and closely monitored by the Environment Agency, which granted an Environmental Permit for the facility in 2024, demonstrating its satisfaction that the facility will operate safely and within all regulatory requirements.
Energy recovery has been the subject of numerous domestic and international academic studies and, having both conducted its own study with Imperial College London, and reviewed all available evidence, The UK Health Security Agency (previously Public Health England) has no objection to the use of energy recovery in England.
The partner councils take the safety of people living and working in Teesside extremely seriously and, in addition to national regulatory safeguards, will be highly involved in the governance and monitoring of the facility to ensure that it adheres with all planning, permit and contractual conditions.
Control measures to minimise pollution
The TV ERF will employ a range of industry-standard flue-gas treatment technologies to remove pollutants and particulate matter from the gases produced during the combustion process, before they are dispersed through the stack.
These technologies will separate and capture particulate matter and pollutants by filtering them from the gases. The substance left over from this filtration process is known as Air Pollution Control residue (APCr) – which itself can be treated and recycled through specialist processes.
Once the flue gases have been treated, those that are released through the stack are dispersed at height to ensure they are not concentrated at ground level and they are constantly monitored – with strict safety controls in place.
As a brand new facility, the TV ERF will deploy the latest technology and Best Available Techniques for safe operation, building on decades of operational experience across the sector in the UK and abroad.
