The ash recovery potential of CHP plants has not been fully exploited. Further, some of the ash ends up in landfills, causing additional costs for ash producers. Finland produces about 1.3 million tonnes of ash annually. The aim of the project was to utilize the various ash fractions of thermal and power plants in a cost-effective way and to achieve the best possible added value from the ash.
In the project a model that was developed enable the ash producer to separate the different ash fractions and to find the best possible users of the different ash fractions, in order to maximize the added value of the ash and minimize the amount of ash going to landfill. The business model was developed a spatial data solution for describing ash producers, terminals and recovery locations. This can be used for profitability reviews, as well as for traceability of ash use, business planning and monitoring.
The ash recovery potential was enhanced by developing ash-related business advice and conducting an analysis of the current status of ash-producing companies in the context of business advice. The current ash production and utilization was mapped in the project. The operational model and the spatial data solution were piloted. The environmental impact of ash was also monitored at the pilot sites.