LAWR

October 2014 Local Authority Waste & Recycling 17 ENERGY RECOVERY Röttger says that the waste treatment company did not have any planning issues. "We have a long tradition of building EfW plants in Denmark," Röttger says. "We have no space for landfill so we have a total of around 26 plants." Neighbouring plant ARC plans to replace its 42-year old incinerator with its new EfW plant. It will be equipped with two furnace lines, which will replace the old incin- erator's four furnace lines. The plant will increase energy efficiency by 25% compared to the old plant with steam data at 440 degrees/70 bars. Its 42-year old plant is still in operation and is running next to new construction works. When the new plant is built it will be knocked down. According to Thomas Astrup, a lec- turer at the Technical University of Denmark, this Amager Bakke plant makes full and efficient use of the energy contained in the waste and it is "robust because it is possible to pro- cess all types of waste as fuel and still obtain a high level of energy recovery". The idea for the company's new EfW plant came about when it ran a competition for architects to "take an industrial building and to create a recreational park on top of the roof". Six architects entered the competition – three from Denmark and three from "abroad". Yet, Danish architects Bjarke Ingels Group won the competition. Geography The initial aim was to put a moun- tain bike trail there. However, Röttger explains that half a million Danes go skiing every year but there are no ski slopes in Denmark. Röttger says that although Denmark has a cold climate in the winter, Denmark is a "flat coun- try". So, most people go to the Alps or Norway to ski. She says: "When Danes go skiing in Norway the Norwegians say that they are very dangerous on the ski slopes. So, at least with this new slope they can have a practice and gain experi- ence before they go." Röttger adds that it is a "very good idea to look at your surroundings and produce a building that fits into these surroundings". There is a go-kart place nearby and a water skiing facility nearby. The archi- tects have "thought about it that way". An 85m climbing wall – believed to be the tallest in the world if built – will feature at the plant as well. Röttger says the challenge will be "for us to have the public on the roof" but it "will not be dangerous and we will make it safe". Amager Bakke has been well- received by the public. Röttger says that it has inspired her company to think outside the box and plan ideas for "integrated initiatives in the city". ARC own several recycling bins around Copenhagen. She says that the company could plan to have activities around them. For example, "jazz on Saturdays". She adds: "It is about giv- ing something back to the community. We have become more creative in our thoughts in doing something like this. "The community see waste in a pos- itive light rather than a negative one. Usually people do not think what hap- pens to their waste when they throw it away. But this has helped people to realise how important it is. It will help to transform people's perceptions that waste is somehow a dirty or low job. It may even help with recruitment." There is no doubt that this building could make waste interesting with its bold and visually appealing architec- ture but more importantly it will make it fun. The roof will be planted with grass, several large trees and buses to create a mountain- ous landscape. The Amager Bakke plant will become one of the tallest buildings in Denmark, standing at 283ft high

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