Coal combustion products
The EPA is demonstrating circular economy benefits by supporting the recovery of coal combustion products (CCPs) also known as coal ash to replace virgin materials.
Currently 37% of electricity in NSW is generated by four active coal fired power stations, these facilities burn coal to generate electricity. CCPs are a by product of the coal combustion process results in CCPs NSW power stations produce approximately 4.8 million tonnes of CCPs annually.
CCPs can replace virgin materials in several industrial applications, primarily concrete production. Approximately 20% of CCPs are recovered, the remaining 80% are stored in ash repositories. It is estimated that over 200 million tonnes of CCPs are stored in ash repositories across NSW.
In March 2021 the Costs for Remediation of Sites Containing Coal Ash Repositories found that CCPs are a valuable resource with widespread support amongst stakeholders due to the vast economic opportunities.
In response to these findings and the Carbon Abatement Opportunities for Circular Economy 2022 study, the EPA has allocated $3.25 million to delivering a range of initiatives to support the recovery and use of CCPs.
Initiatives overview
| Initiative | Description |
|---|---|
| CCP pathways research partnership | The EPA will partner with industry to gain a better understanding of resource supply and applications to inform industry investment |
| Coal ash repository management guidance | Developing guidance material to support power stations transition to closure |
| Market study | Completing a market study to determine the feasibility of harvesting stored CCPs |
| CCP prospectus | Developing a CCP prospectus to inform industry investment |
| Mapping and characterisation | Partnering with industry to map and characterise NSW ash repositories |
| Government material specifications | Partnering with DCCEEW, SmartCrete CRC and the University of Technology Sydney to fast-track new and updated government material specifications for low carbon concrete |
| Research and development | Partnering with institutions to conduct research on barriers impacting the uptake of stored CCPs |
Working with industry to deliver solutions
In October 2023 a five-year partnership was established between the EPA and the Ash Development Association of Australia (ADAA).
It will leverage knowledge, skills, networks and expertise to deliver impactful and innovative carbon abatement solutions for coal combustion products. It works to deliver government commitments, build markets and innovate solutions in carbon recycling and remanufacturing across a key resource stream.
The MoU will allow the partnership to deliver on several objectives, including to:
- support innovative circular economy approaches that manage waste and materials more efficiently and effectively and assist in reducing carbon emissions
- gain a better understanding of coal combustion product repository supply, applications and technologies to explore the potential for future use as coal-fired power stations are decommissioned
- leverage industry experience and knowledge to ensure project outputs are fit-for-purpose and will unlock genuine supply chain barriers, considering health and environmental risks.
To address the challenges and opportunities associated with harvesting coal combustion products, the EPA sponsored the ADAA’s International Symposium: Coal Combustion Products Harvesting Challenges and Opportunities.
The symposium brought together over 100 leaders, technical experts, engineering practitioners and key policy makers from Australia and internationally to share their knowledge and experience with harvesting stored coal combustion products.