An important contribution to climate neutrality

In order to achieve national climate targets, the CO2 produced in thermal waste treatment plants (waste to energy (WtE)-plants) is to be captured and then used or stored in future. The foundations for Switzerland's first capture plant are being laid at the KVA Linth WtE-plant in Niederurnen, Canton of Glarus. A CO2 competence centre is being created at this location to develop this pioneering project and build up expertise that can be used nationwide. The Foundation "Center for Sustainable Use of Waste and Resources" (ZAR) foundation is leading the project.

In January 2021, the Federal Council published Switzerland's long-term climate strategy, according to which Switzerland should no longer emit any greenhouse gases by 2050. This document outlines how Switzerland intends to contribute to the internationally agreed targets for reducing greenhouse gases. This strategy is based, among other things, on the ‘net zero’ concept and sets out the targets to be achieved for each sector. The ‘net zero’ target takes into account the fact that not all CO2 emissions can be avoided, even in 2050. This is the case, for example, in agriculture, cement production and thermal waste treatment. The CO2 emissions still being emitted at that time must be completely and permanently removed from the atmosphere by means of sinks (negative emissions). In addition to the very significant challenges of reducing CO2 emissions from fuels, waste-to-energy plants are key elements in achieving the specified targets.

A CO2 competence centre is being built at the Linth WtE-plant in Niederurnen. The purpose of this centre is to build and operate a CO2 capture plant. The CO2 will be extracted directly from the exhaust gases of the Linth WtE-plant. The CO2 can then be reused – for example, for synthetic fuels – or it can be safely incorporated locally into the production of concrete from demolition waste or stored in international underground storage facilities. This process is called CCS, short for ‘carbon capture and storage’.

WtE-plant are particularly well suited for CO2 capture as they are a major source of CO2. In addition, the energy required for the capture process is already available through the thermal utilisation of the waste. The fact that the exhaust gas cleaning systems of the plants are already of a very high quality is also a good prerequisite. 
 

The plant can achieve negative CO2 emissions

About half of the CO2 emitted by a WtE-plant is of biogenic origin (e.g. from wood waste or kitchen scraps) and is therefore climate-neutral. If this CO2 can also be captured and stored underground, negative emissions can be generated: in purely mathematical terms, more CO2 is saved than emitted.

CCS technology is therefore a crucial element in achieving the Swiss Confederation's 2050 climate targets of net zero greenhouse gas emissions. For this reason, the Swiss Confederation has concluded a target agreement with the umbrella organisation of Swiss WtE-plant operators (VBSA), according to which at least one CO2 capture plant must be in operation by 2030. The longer-term goal is for the industry to achieve 3.6 million tonnes of negative emissions by 2050.
 

The aim is comprehensive CO2 capture

With the establishment of the CO2 Competence Centre in Niederurnen, the Linth WtE-plant is now becoming a development hub for the whole of Switzerland. The aim is to gain scientific and technical expertise in CO2 capture and make this knowledge available to the entire waste recycling industry and similar sectors nationwide. On this basis, it should then be possible to make a comprehensive assessment of comprehensive CO2 capture in the Swiss waste industry, both from an ecological and an economic perspective.

The CO2 Competence Centre is initially planned to run for four years. By then, all the necessary groundwork should be in place to decide on an investment in a CO2 capture plant at the Linth WtE-plant. The project is being run by the Center for Sustainable Use of Waste and Resources" (ZAR) foundation. It is financed by the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), the industry association VBSA, the Foundation for a Strong Glarus Region of the Glarus Cantonal Bank, KVA Linth and the Zurich Oberland Waste Utilisation Association (KEZO) in Hinwil. The centre is headed by Walter Furgler, managing director of KVA Linth WtE-plant.
 

Logistical and political challenges

Over the next four years, the team will carry out various tasks. These include setting up the competence centre and a reliable environmental monitoring system. Exhaust gas purification and waste heat utilisation will be optimised. The team will also evaluate possible sales channels for the captured CO2 and clarify logistical issues, such as how to transport the CO2. Various clarifications regarding the approval process are also necessary.

In order to implement CCS holistically, there are still various logistical and political challenges to be overcome in terms of storage. For example, a transport infrastructure must be established in Switzerland and Europe. Appropriate political and legal frameworks are also necessary for the export and storage of CO2 abroad. The industry association VBSA and ETH Zurich are currently working on appropriate solutions, with the support of various associations, cantons and the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC). Meanwhile, the CO2 Competence Centre in Niederurnen is focusing on the first part of the CCS process, i.e. CO2 capture directly at the Linth WtE-plant.
 

CO2 capture and waste prevention

When a new technology is presented, the question of whether it is really necessary is always raised, and rightly so. Wouldn't it be much more efficient to prevent waste in the first place? Indeed, waste prevention is a necessity of our time. However, the amount of waste we all generate cannot be controlled by waste recycling plants. It is influenced by our consumption behaviour, the short lifespan of products and the way we treat all our possessions. Waste prevention and recycling are not contradictory to CO2 capture in waste recycling plants. In order to achieve a sustainable, climate-friendly approach to our goods, both are essential.

After CO2 is captured directly at the Linth WtE-plant, the greenhouse gas is either reused (CCU – carbon capture and use) or stored in international underground storage facilities (CCS – carbon capture and storage).

Further information on the CO2 Competence Centre and the CCS process:

www.zar-ch.ch
www.kva-linth.ch
 

About the ZAR Foundation 

The Foundation "Center for Sustainable Use of Waste and Resources" (ZAR) Foundation was established in 2010 and is headquartered in Hinwil. As an ambassador for a sustainable circular economy, it is committed to the optimal use of the energy and raw materials contained in waste. It acts as an interface between practical work in waste recycling plants and research in universities. The foundation currently operates three centres of excellence. At KEZO Hinwil (ZH), the focus is on the physical and mechanical recovery of recyclable materials from dry slag. At KENOVA Zuchwil (SO), chemical processes are being developed for the recovery of recyclable materials and the reduction of pollutants in incineration residues. At the KVA Linth WtE-plant in Niederurnen (GL), a CO2 capture plant is being developed.
www.zar-ch.ch

About KVA Linth

The KVA Linth WtE- plant in Niederurnen went into operation in 1973 and has been regularly renovated and expanded ever since. Continuously updated technologies ensure minimal emissions of pollutants. The Linth WtE-plant uses the heat from incineration to produce electricity and operate an efficient district heating network. It also filters valuable metals from the residues. The Linth WtE-plant is owned by the Linth Region Waste Disposal Association, which consists of 28 municipalities with over 170,000 inhabitants.
www.kva-linth.ch
 

Contact

Furgler Walter, Managing Director, KVA Linth, Tel. +41 (0)55 617 27 40
Dr. Marxer, Daniel, Head of CO2 Competence Centre, Tel. +41 (0)55 617 28 95

Download press release