The plant technology of the MVA Bonn is gradually approaching the end of its uninterrupted run

It is now necessary to develop a suitable and sustainable technological concept for the future.

by Dipl. Ing. Manfred Becker

Abstract

Since 1992, the waste incineration plant (MVA) in Bonn has been treating reliably residual waste and bulky waste from the City of Bonn and the region. However, after around 30 years of operation, the plant technology of the MVA Bonn is gradually approaching the end of its uninterrupted run. It is now necessary to develop a suitable and sustainable technological concept for the future. This needs to happen in a time, in which the sector of thermal waste treatment is facing fundamental challenges.

The primary objective of every waste incineration plant is to sanitise and reduce the volume of the waste. Yet, it is quite unclear how the quantities and qualities of wastes will develop in the future. Voices of the zero-waste movement consider thermal recycling already today as superfluous. Waste forecasts from various institutes show very different scenarios. In any way: new plants must be designed flexible, in order to secure basic disposing as well as anticipate future waste flows, needs and technology trends. The following list names just a few of the current megatrends: climate neutrality, energy transition, e-mobility, CO2 reduction and hydrogen use.

Against this background, the MVA Bonn, together with TBF + Partner AG and EnviCon Engineering GmbH, started in 2020 to develop a holistic vision for the site. The vision is called bonNova – drives future. The six building blocks of the vision are:

Energy-Resource-Hub
Place to be
Center of competencies
Network
Transparency
Participation

Right from the start, the members of the supervisory board and employees were actively involved in the participation process. In various workshops, meetings, documents, videos, comics and other media, we continued to develop the concept of the new site as well as the way we want to work and develop together. In this dynamic and prosperous process, we could all find a purpose and invite anyone interested to join us.

One of our major next steps, will be a public campaign, which is planned to roll out in spring 2022. It should support our wish to continuously expand our network, also including new stakeholders with public or private background. It contributes also to one of our building blocks: transparently present the project status at any time.

So please, feel welcomed and be part of the bonNova-network. Contact us on our website and let us know your ideas and suggestions for thermal treatment of public waste in the future or any connecting thought (www.bonNova.de).

The whole paper is published in German language at TK-Verlag, Berlin, 2022

Written in cooperation with Ms Dr. Margit Löschau, tbf

published: , 7|2022
Keywords: Energy Recovery, Mixed Waste, Close dumps, Germany

Dipl. Ing., Dipl.-Wirt.-Ing Manfred Becker
MVA Müllverwertungsanlage Bonn GmbH, Rheinische Entsorgungskooperation