BUSINESS SERVICES : STEAM SALES

Industrial & Economic Development Opportunities

SPSA's System

  • The Southeastern Public Service Authority (SPSA) operates a state-of-the-art solid waste management system in South Hampton Roads, Virginia. SPSA manages approximately one million tons of solid waste annually.
  • Since 1973, SPSA has been chartered to manage a regional system and is the winner of numerous environmental and operational awards.
  • SPSA operates more than 14 facilities and has over 500 employees. Its service area is 2,000 square miles in size.
  • SPSA's Waste-to-Energy system converts South Hampton Roads' municipal solid waste into commercial steam. In excess of one half-million tons of waste is converted into fuel at SPSA's waste processing plant annually.
  • The plant is adjacent to the southern branch of the Elizabeth River at the intersection of Elm Avenue and Victory Boulevard in Portsmouth.

Economical Steam Availability

  • SPSA is a reliable steam provider. SPSA has operated the Power Plant for nearly 10 years, and has a documented history of 99.5 percent reliability.
  • The Power Plant has a commitment for less than 1 billion of the installed capacity of 6.3 billion pounds of steam available annually. The excess capacity can be used to provide process and heating steam to a large commercial customer at a very competitive price.
  • Only FDA approved chemicals are used to treat the steam that is exported from SPSA's Power Plant, thus meeting all food preparation requirements.
  • SPSA's chemical treatment program ensures that the steam lines and customers' equipment that comes in contact with the steam are properly protected.
  • Steam is produced at 700 psig, 750 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Current steam export pressure is 150 psig from saturation temperature to approximately 100 degrees Fahrenheit superheat temperature. Export pressure can be raised to 200 psig with no equipment modifications if required.
  • Upon deregulation of retail electrical sales in Virginia, SPSA will be in a position to provide competitive electrical rates to its steam customers.
  • The return of the steam condensate will reduce the ultimate cost of steam supplied to any customer. Also, SPSA has the water treatment capacity needed to supply steam to a customer who cannot provide condensate return.
  • In addition to firing RDF, the Power Plant is capable of making nameplate rating firing coal. Coal is stockpiled on site for back-up capability. Coal is received by rail car under the terms of a multi-year contract. On-site capacity is 50,000 tons.

Other Services that SPSA Provides through the Power Plant

  • SPSA provides very competitive solid waste disposal rates for waste that can be processed into fuel. Waste that cannot be recycled or converted to fuel, and must be landfilled, is disposed of at SPSA's Regional Landfill, which meets the most stringent requirements for sanitary landfills. SPSA's customers can be confident that their waste is being disposed of in a safe, economical, and environmentally sound manner, which provides long-term liability protection.
  • SPSA also provides certified destruction of proprietary waste for a range of manufacturers. Proprietary waste becomes a boiler fuel, and is completely destroyed.

For more information, contact SPSA at 757-420-4700.



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