First-of-its-kind environmental project for Michigan will turn stored ash into cement
substitute
CALGARY,
AB and WEST OLIVE,
Mich., Jan. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ashcor
USA Inc., a subsidiary of Ashcor
Technologies Ltd. and a division of ATCO Ltd. (TSX: ACO.X) (TSX:
ACO.Y), and Michigan-based
Consumers Energy are excited to announce an agreement to extract
and repurpose millions of tons of impounded coal ash from the soon
to be retired J.H. Campbell Generating Complex.
"We're doing the right thing as we make a just transition away
from coal as a fuel source for electricity and that includes
fulfilling our environmental responsibilities at the Campbell
Generating Complex," said Norm
Kapala, vice president of generation operations for
Consumers Energy. "While our focus today is on meeting power needs
in a more environmentally sustainable way, we are also committed to
removing 60 years of ash deposits that will be beneficially
repurposed."
Ashcor's patented Reclaimed Ash Management (RAM™) technology
will transform stored coal ash at the power facility into a
high-grade cement replacement material for use in concrete
manufacturing. Since global cement manufacturing is responsible for
about 8 percent of the world's total CO2 emissions, the repurposing
of coal ash has environmental benefits.
"We're very pleased that we will be able to reclaim ash from the
Campbell Generating Complex, transforming it into a high-quality
supplementary cement replacement material," said John Tiberi, President, Ashcor. "Ultimately,
this manufactured ash can substitute up to 30 percent of
traditional, carbon-intensive portland cement, making it a more
sustainable solution for countless construction projects and
concrete applications. This will be our third RAM facility, and we
are eager to incorporate our operational expertise into a
state-of-the-art design, tailored to J.H. Campbell's site and the market demands of the
Great Lakes area."
Capable of generating nearly 1,500 megawatts of electricity, the
Campbell complex ― located on a
2,000-acre site in Port Sheldon
Township near Holland,
Mich. ― began serving Consumers Energy customers in
the 1960s. Retiring the complex's three units in May 2025 is part of the company's Clean Energy
Plan to meet Michigan's energy
needs in the coming decades.
Once Ashcor completes construction of the RAM™ facility, removal
and processing of the ash will begin. Operations are planned to
begin on or before Jan. 1, 2027, and
the operational life of the project is expected to be about two
decades. The RAM™ technology is capable of processing harvested
comingled bottom ash and fly ash and transforming it into a product
that meets technical specifications. There is a significant level
of interest in the project, and both companies are keen to provide
a high-quality product for customers.
This project represents Ashcor's first foray into coal ash
harvesting and beneficiation in the
United States. The inaugural U.S. venture underscores the
company's ambitious growth strategy and commitment to expanding its
presence in this key market. By leveraging its proven expertise and
innovative technologies, Ashcor is setting the stage to deliver
high-quality, sustainable solutions to a broader audience of
utility companies and meet the growing demand for reclaimed,
high-performance materials across the construction and industrial
sectors. Ashcor aims to build a strong presence in the U.S.,
replicating its success in Canada
while tailoring its approach to meet the unique needs and
priorities of its American partners.
About Consumers Energy
Consumers Energy is
Michigan's largest energy
provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million
of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula
counties. Consumers Energy's Clean Energy Plan calls for
eliminating coal as an energy source in 2025, achieving net-zero
carbon emissions and meeting 90% of customers' energy needs through
clean sources, including wind and solar.
About ATCO
As a global enterprise ATCO Ltd. and its
subsidiary and affiliate companies have approximately 20,000
employees and assets of $26 billion.
ATCO is committed to future prosperity by working to meet the
world's essential energy, housing, security and transportation
challenges. ATCO Structures designs, builds and delivers products
to service the essential need for housing and shelter around the
globe. ATCO Frontec provides operational support services to
government, defence and commercial clients. ATCO Energy Systems
delivers essential energy for an evolving world through its
electricity and natural gas transmission and distribution, and
international operations. ATCO EnPower creates sustainable energy
solutions in the areas of renewables, energy storage, industrial
water and alternative fuels. ATCO Australia develops, builds, owns and operates
energy and infrastructure assets. ATCOenergy and Rümi provide
retail electricity and natural gas services, home maintenance
services and professional home advice that bring exceptional
comfort, peace of mind and freedom to homeowners and customers.
ATCO also has investments in ports and transportation logistics,
the processing and marketing of fly ash, retail food services and
commercial real estate. More information can be found at
www.ATCO.com.
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SOURCE Consumers Energy
