LAWR

ENERGY RECOVERY Imagine going up an 85-metre climbing wall and then imagine viewing an artificial ski slope when you reach the top. Now imagine skiing down that ski slope which happens to rest on top of the roof of a €500m energy-from-waste (EfW) plant. Your imagination is not running wild – this is about to become reality in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2017. Liz Gyekye reports. he Amager Bakke (known as 'Copenhill' in English) EfW plant, now under construction, has been designed with the local community in mind. The architectural landmark is set to lead the way to a future in which such plants will be welcomed rather than detested by its neighbours and transform people's negative perceptions about EfW plants. It is safe to say that EfW plants are not usually known for being tour- ist attractions but this new facility from waste treatment firm Amager Resource Center's (ARC) is set to change all of this. Once finished, nov- ice, intermediate and advanced skiers will be able to zip down the plant's roof through snow while the power plant works at turning waste to ener- gy. A total of four different ski slopes will be implemented. Essentially, it aims to supply ener- gy, waste treatment and fun. The ski slope will be accessed via a 'see through' elevator which will provide views to the inside of the plant. The roof will be more than just a ski slope – visitors will be able to use green spaces for walking, running, watching the sun set in Copenhagen or view the royal palace. Project breakdown It will produce heat to around 160,000 households and electricity for around 62,500 residences. It will aim to pro- cess 400,000 tonnes of municipal and commercial and industrial waste per year. It will also aim to reduce sul- phur emissions by 99.5%. The plant is located near the airport and is just five kilometres from Copenhagen's Town Hall Square. The idea is to transform public per- ceptions about public utility buildings and to integrate a recreational green area with an industrial plant. Speaking to LAWR, ARC chief executive Ulla Röttger says that local residents live close by to the building. In fact, 250m close. Ship life has decreased over the years in Copenhagen and so more housing pro- jects have been built across the city. So, Röttger says it essential that ARC ensures its new EfW plant keeps noise to a minimum and smells. Denmark incinerates more of its waste than the UK. Latest figures from Eurostat show that Denmark inciner- ated 52% of its waste and recycled and composted 45% of it in 2012. In contrast, the UK incinerated 17% of its waste and recycled and composted 46% of it. Normally with high-density popu- lations come high-density resistance – not in this case. In Denmark, there is much less resistance to facilities as nearby residents enjoy low-cost heat- ing throughout the colder months. " Danes go skiing every year but there are no ski slopes in Denmark " 16 Local Authority Waste & Recycling October 2014 T Designing energy-from-waste plants for communities off-piste The Amager Bakke EfW plant will have a man-made ski slope on its roof. It will be accessible to the public and is due to open in the summer of 2017.

• Cover