While the potential economic and environmental benefits of CMM generated electricity are recognizable, an uncertain energy market and declining coal production impedes project development. Moreover, legal regulatory, and technical challenges make CMM project business risks and commercial feasibility difficult to assess, particularly at active mines where production can be highly variable.
Recycled energy, also known as waste heat to power (WHP), is the process of capturing heat discarded by an existing process and using that heat to generate electricity. In Colorado, the term recycled energy is more commonly used and qualifies under the states Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) as an eligible resource. Under the Colorado RES, recycled energy systems must have a nameplate capacity of 15 megawatts (MW) or less, convert the otherwise lost energy from the heat from exhaust stacks or pipes to electricity and not combust additional fossil fuel to be eligible. In addition, recycled energy does not include energy produced by systems that use waste heat from a process whose main purpose is the generation of electricity. In the industrial sector, most recycled energy streams are generated by kilns, furnaces, ovens, turbines engines, and other equipment. Waste streams suitable for recycled energy can also be generated at field locations including landfills, compressor stations, and mining sites.
