Episode 28 | Burundian BTUs | Terrastar Energy
Waste-to-Energy technology is the ability to turn litter into light. The Dept. of Energy says as much as 77 million dry tons of waste could be converted into energy. Add in the gaseous waste, like landfill methane, and there's enough BTU potential to meet about 2% of our energy needs.
Waste-to-energy creates heat and power from a free feedstock. It reduces the volume of waste ultimately landfilled to a small fraction. And because the waste is no longer decomposing, methane--a strong greenhouse gas--can no longer seep into the atmosphere.
Our guest, Rob Redfearn, is the President, CEO, and Senior Consultant of Terrastar Energy, a waste-to-energy project developer. Based in Lumberton, NC, Rob and his staff make up a "virtual company," though Rob says an office may soon become necessary. Since 2011, Terrastar has developed nearly 40 waste-to-energy projects around the world.
Two of their crowning achievements are recent developments in Burundi, a small nation in central Africa. Burundi is about the size of Massachusetts, has 10 million people, and produces 30 megawatts of power. Rob says about 3 in 100 people have access to power.
Their projects, currently in development, will effectively double Burundi's national electric output by the end of 2018. having spent time in the country, Rob says its people remind him of China from 30 years ago, filled with hard workers ready for opportunities. If those people have access to electricity, "They will change the globe," according to Rob.
The World Bank says Burundi is 164th out of 190 countries in its "Ease of Doing Business" rankings, but it is 46th for "Starting a Business," higher than the United States!
During our interview, we discussed, the suite of technologies used to convert waste-to-energy, which Terrastar calls their "Energy Islands." We also discussed advantages to creating a lean organization, supply challenges, and opportunities outside the U.S.
Rob's business partner in Burundi says he imagines a map of Africa at night, with a small glowing star of light emanating from the center of the continent. To think that their efforts created light that could so clearly be seen from space is truly a sight to behold!
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