Changing Waste-to-Energy in Nashville, Tennessee

For almost 30 years, the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County has been relying on one of the more innovative approaches to waste management. Since the early 1970s, the now 1,000 tons per day WTE facility has been the primary energy source for supplying steam and chilled water for a downtown district energy system serving some 39 buildings. A recent review of alternatives has resulted in Metro deciding to close the facility and replace it with a more traditional district energy supply system and at the same time re-engineer its solid waste management programs to include more efficient collection and recycling programs. This paper will present the planning process and analysis that were done; describe the key factors that led to Metro Nashville’s decisions; detail the procurement and development process that has been initiated; and outline the timetable for implementing the decided upon changes. The authors believe this case study will provide insights for other WTE projects that from time to time struggle with peaceful co-existence with other elements of integrated solid waste management. The authors have been serving as advisors to Metro throughout this process. Mr. Gershman has recently been designated by Metro as its overall Project Manager for its District Energy System.