Overview
Miami Dade County Resource Recovery Fac is a 77 MW biomass power plant in Florida, USA, operated by Covanta Southeast Florida Renewable Ltd. It converts waste into energy for the local grid.
Miami Dade County Resource Recovery Fac is a biomass power plant located in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. With a capacity of 77 MW, it operates as a waste-to-energy facility, converting municipal solid waste into electricity. The plant is owned by Covanta Southeast Florida Renewable Ltd and is currently operational, serving the energy needs of the region. The plant uses waste as its primary fuel, a common practice in the biomass sector. In the United States, waste-to-energy facilities are regulated under the Clean Air Act (CAA) and must comply with emissions standards for pollutants such as dioxins, mercury, and particulate matter. The technology typically involves combustion of waste in controlled conditions to generate steam for turbines. As a waste-to-energy facility, this plant plays a dual role in waste management and power generation. It reduces the volume of waste sent to landfills while producing renewable energy. The plant's location in a densely populated area like Miami-Dade County underscores its importance in managing local waste streams and contributing to the region's energy mix.
Environmental context
The plant's use of waste as fuel reduces methane emissions from landfills but generates air emissions including CO2, NOx, and trace pollutants. Its location in a populated area requires stringent emission controls under the Clean Air Act. The 77 MW capacity places it in the medium scale for biomass plants, with environmental impacts managed through regulatory compliance.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States, at coordinates 25.8356, -80.3566.
It is a biomass power plant that uses waste as its primary fuel to generate electricity.
The plant has a capacity of 77 megawatts (MW).
Biomass power plants in the US must comply with the Clean Air Act (CAA), including emissions standards for pollutants like particulate matter, NOx, and dioxins. Waste-to-energy facilities also follow EPA guidelines for ash disposal and emissions monitoring.
Waste-to-energy reduces landfill volume, decreases methane emissions, and generates renewable electricity. However, it requires advanced emission controls to minimize air pollutants.