Thermal Waste Treatment: Why Waste Makes Our Power Supply More Secure
- yes or no Redaktion
- May 27
- 3 min read
For a stable energy supply, Waste-to-Energy should also be con-sidered. The technology converts locally generated waste into reliable, regional energy. It operates independently of weather conditions and the import of fossil fuels, meaning it does not rely on potentially vulnerable supply chains and infrastructures. Waste-to-Energy therefore serves as a robust backup for security of supply. Modern plants can even operate in island mode to autonomously supply critical infrastructure with energy on short notice.
Germany aims to increase the share of renewable energies to 80 percent by 2030 as part of the energy transition[1]. At the same time, con-ventional power plants are being shut down, reducing the number of baseload-capable facilities.
Waste-to-Energy: Stable Support for Renewable Energy
In the German power grid, the baseload ranges from around 40 to 60 gigawatts (GW), while peak demand exceeds 80 GW[2]. According to the Federal Network Agency, an additional 35.5 GW of controllable capacity will be needed by 2035 to ensure security of supply[3] – equivalent to 71 new gas-fired power plants in the 500-megawatt class. However, construction of new plants is progressing slowly, as approval proce-dures are complex and investments are difficult to secure without gov-ernment support[4].
With an installed capacity of around 2.15 GW, Germany’s Waste-to-Energy plants contribute roughly five percent to the national baseload[5]. “This capacity will become increasingly important in the future for providing secured baseload power. During periods of ‘cold dark doldrums’ – when wind and solar energy are scarcely available – it forms part of the backbone of electricity generation,” writes the Association of Thermal Waste Treatment Plants in Germany (ITAD e.V.) in its study: “The Role of Thermal Waste Treatment in the National Circular Economy Strategy of the Federal Republic of Germany[6].”
Grid Stability: Robust and Crisis-Resilient
Because Waste-to-Energy plants operate decentrally and use locally generated waste, they are largely independent of oil and gas imports, supply chains, or complex high-pressure infrastructures. Gas pipelines, compressor stations, and LNG terminals, for example, are considered critical points, as disruptions at these key locations can severely impact the entire gas supply. In times of growing geopolitical risks and threats of sabotage, this is a crucial factor.
Waste-to-Energy plants are also capable of supporting the grid as sys-tem service providers on multiple levels. With their “minute reserve,” they can supply additional power within 15 minutes. Thanks to their “black-start capability,” they can restart independently after an out-age. In addition, the rotational inertia of their turbines stabilizes the grid frequency at 50 hertz[7] – the target frequency essential for the
safe operation of all electrical devices – thereby reducing the risk
of blackouts.
Thermal Recycling: Sustainable Energy from Waste
The thermal waste recycling carried out in Waste-to-Energy plants not only provides baseload-capable energy but also eliminates more than 90 percent of waste, reduces environmentally harmful landfilling, and decreases the export of waste. Although Germany exports less waste overall, the country still shipped 694,000 tons of plastic waste abroad
in 2023 – the highest volume within the EU[8]. In the same year, around 16 percent of waste in Germany was still landfilled[9].
In addition to these positive environmental effects, the thermal recovery of waste reduces the use of fossil fuels. Moreover, the Waste-to-Energy process in modern plants is clean and efficient: flue gas clean-ing systems remove pollutants almost completely, and even slag, ash, and CO₂ can be further utilized. This makes Waste-to-Energy a key component of the circular economy. Countries with high environmen-tal standards – such as Switzerland, Finland, and the Netherlands – already use the technology successfully in their energy mix. In Sweden, roughly 25 % of district heating is generated from waste incineration with energy recovery[10].