Household waste to power collection vehicles in Sheffield
Sheffield City Council has applied for funding to convert two of its retired refuse collection vehicles to run on electricity. The vehicles, operated by Veolia, would be powered by the waste taken away from households in Sheffield.
If successful, the project could reduce the dependence on diesel by converting existing vehicles at the end of their operation life; as well as saving money as it would allow waste contractors to continue to use vehicles that would normally be replaced. Under this scheme they could operate for at least another seven years.
The bid involves a number of partners, including Sheffield-based firm, Magtec Systems Technology. The company is the largest manufacturer of electric vehicles and has exported over 500 around the world, all of which have been converted in South Yorkshire. This includes 350 electric trucks to America, a fleet of electric vans to Europe and two electric buses to the Himalayas.
Magtec was founded in 1992 and has over 70 employees who specialise in engineering and manufacturing. All of their products are designed and manufactured in the heart of Sheffield. They produce systems that allow vehicles to be converted, and make systems for major vehicle manufactures including Rolls Royce.
Sheffield’s Energy Recovery Facility turns Sheffield’s household waste into electricity, generating up to 21MW of electricity to the National Grid, enough to power more than 25,000 homes. It can also produce up to 45MW of heat which is supplied to over 140 buildings connected to the Cities District Energy Network.
Councillor Bryan Lodge, of Sheffield City Council, said: “To be able to trial electric refuse vehicles in Sheffield is a fantastic opportunity, allowing it to be one of the first cities where the vehicles are powered by our waste, using a system that has been designed and manufactured here.”
Councillor Jack Scott added: “We have been very clear that we need to take action in response to the challenges the city faces with air pollution. This scheme is exactly the sort of ground-breaking, innovative opportunity we need to seize to make sure Sheffield’s air is clean and safe for everyone.
“Magtec is such a great Sheffield company, with a proven track record around the world. As well as waste, there is clearly an opportunity for the bus companies in Sheffield to embrace this technology and move away from their dependence on diesel and I’ll be pushing them to do this.”
Veolia has more than 40 collection vehicles.
