Waste To Energy Output Calculator

Work out waste to energy output instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Waste To Energy Output Calculator

Thermal input is throughput times net calorific value. Boiler efficiency of 80-86% and a steam cycle efficiency of 25-30% give gross electrical output; parasitic load for fans, pumps and flue gas treatment consumes 10-15%. Net output is typically 500-700 kWh per tonne of municipal waste.

Formulas

Thermal input

Thermal (MW) = throughput (t/h) x 1000 x CV (MJ/kg) / 3600

Electrical output

Net electrical = thermal x boiler efficiency x cycle efficiency x (1 - parasitic load)

Worked example

With the default values below, Waste To Energy Output Calculator returns Net Electrical Output of 14.3733. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Waste Throughputminimum 0 tonnes/hour: 25 tonnes/hour
Net Calorific Valueminimum 0 MJ/kg: 10 MJ/kg
Boiler Efficiencyaccepts 0–100 %: 84 %
Steam Cycle Efficiencyaccepts 0–100 %: 28 %

Results

Net Electrical Output: 14.3733
Thermal Input: 69.444
Gross Electrical Output: 16.3333
Net Electricity Per Tonne: 574.9

Step by step

1Values used
2Thermal input
3Electrical output
4Net Electrical Output= 14.3733
5Thermal Input= 69.444
6Gross Electrical Output= 16.3333
7Net Electricity Per Tonne= 574.9

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
Figures are rounded for display to 4 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
Energy from waste plants must meet emission limit values and efficiency criteria to qualify as recovery rather than disposal under waste framework legislation.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Energy from waste plants must meet emission limit values and efficiency criteria to qualify as recovery rather than disposal under waste framework legislation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the steam cycle efficiency so low?

Steam temperature is limited to around 400-440 C to avoid high-temperature chlorine corrosion of superheater tubes. That caps cycle efficiency well below a coal or gas plant.

Does combined heat and power help?

Substantially. Exporting heat raises total energy utilisation from under 30% to 70-85%, which is why the highest-performing plants are sited near a heat load.