The undulating roof of the facility is covered in greenery and white sand, reflecting the distant sea horizon. The landscape on the building’s exterior façade shifts and glimmers as the light changes throughout the day. A towering chimney rises like a mountain peak at one corner. This is the Baoshan Renewable Energy Utilization Center, a garden-style waste-to-energy plant.

Launched at the end of 2019, the project was spearheaded by Shanghai Industrial Investment (Holding) Co., Ltd., with China Baowu Steel Group Corporation as a key partner. Together, they invested in the establishment of SIIC Baojin'gang Environmental Resources Technology Co., Ltd., to initiate the development of this transformative facility.

The Baoshan Renewable Energy Utilization Center has earned numerous accolades, including being recognized as Shanghai’s benchmark project for coordinated waste treatment after the dry and wet waste separation policy. It is also the first city-level key project for the integrated treatment of household dry and wet waste following the city’s waste sorting initiative. With a mission focused on “leading technology, advanced processes, near-zero emissions, and community-friendly operations,” the Center aims to become a national benchmark for renewable energy utilization and play a pivotal role in Shanghai’s goal of achieving zero waste landfills.

Baoshan Renewable Energy Utilization Center (Photo by Ding Yaoyao)

Turning Waste into Green Energy

At the Baoshan Renewable Energy Utilization Center, waste is transformed into green electricity through incineration.

On the facility’s observation path, visitors can view the unloading hall, incinerators, and flue gas purification systems through large observation windows. The entire waste treatment process is on display, and in the control room, electronic screens provide real-time process flowcharts and monitoring indicators.

“The energy generation efficiency is significantly higher than that of conventional waste incineration plants,” said a vice general manager of Shanghai Industrial Environment (Holding) Co., Ltd. “The integration of dry and wet waste treatment in a single, centralized operation is one of the Center’s standout features.” Wet waste is mechanically squeezed and separated before being further classified and treated, effectively solving the pollution issues that arise from the independent treatment of wet waste.

The Center’s operational scale is impressive. The daily incineration capacity for dry waste is around 3,000 tons, while the facility processes 800 tons of wet waste daily. Each year, the plant generates about 800 million kWh of electricity through waste incineration and biogas power generation, which is enough to power Shanghai’s residents for four months. This production can reduce coal consumption by 280,000 tons and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 330,000 tons annually.

One of the facility’s notable features is its odor management system. Despite the vast quantities of waste processed, there is no unpleasant smell. Advanced odor treatment technology captures and treats odors at various stages of the process. Areas with high odor levels, such as the unloading hall and waste pits, are equipped with negative-pressure ventilation systems that filter and treat the odors according to their intensity.

Energy Efficiency and Emission Reduction

In design, the facility is expected to be an effort in building the “Garden City” featuring meeting residents’ demands, the city characteristics, environment protection and industrial development.

In particular, in terms of carbon emission reduction, the project’s energy utilization capacity is industry-leading. It has four medium-temperature, high-pressure steam parameter waste heat boilers and two 60MW steam turbine generators, with the entire plant’s thermal efficiency reaching over 29%.

Notably, the facility uses a white smoke removal process for the chimney emissions, making it the first waste incineration plant in Shanghai to implement this method. The smoke is cooled to 45°C before being reheated and discharged, significantly reducing visible emissions. This process lowers the humidity of the smoke from 17% to 7%, and the wastewater generated is treated and recycled for further use. Additionally, the facility’s cooling tower has a water-saving system with a fog removal efficiency exceeding 95%, saving more than 18% of water annually.

Other energy-saving measures include the use of variable frequency drives on over 80% of motors above 8kW, intelligent control systems for general lighting, and the reuse of wastewater for various processes, such as cooling tower operation, lime slurry production, and furnace re-spraying. Steam-powered lithium bromide absorption chillers supply air conditioning in residential and office areas, reducing high-quality electricity consumption.

Focuses on Industrial Development, City Characteristics, People’s Demand and Environment Protection

The Baoshan Renewable Energy Utilization Center was built in response to the waste classification policy implemented on July 1, 2019, which called for better waste sorting, reduction, and resource utilization. Previously, Baoshan’s dry waste was transported by boat to an older incineration plant, while wet waste was handled locally, often with limited capacity. As the old incineration plant reached its limit, the need for a new facility became urgent.

Situated on the former Luojing Steel Plant site in Baoshan District, the facility covers an area of 203 acres. It is part of the Baoshan District Environmental Protection Technology Industrial Park, a growing zone dedicated to innovation, environmental protection, and industrial synergy. The park is undergoing significant upgrades to optimize asset management and industrial infrastructure, thereby promoting comprehensive development in terms of industrial development, city characteristics, people’s demand, and environmental protection.

According to representatives from Shanghai Industrial Environment (Holding) Co., Ltd., the Baoshan Renewable Energy Utilization Center is pivotal in fostering the growth of green industries within the park, helping Baoshan build competitive industrial clusters, and supporting sustainable development in the region.

Building Spaces for Education and Leisure

In addition to its waste treatment and energy generation functions, the Baoshan Renewable Energy Utilization Center is designed with a strong focus on community engagement and education. It is Shanghai’s first multi-functional project, combining waste disposal, green power generation, and public park spaces. Its architectural style integrates seamlessly with the surrounding environment, making it more approachable for locals.

It is reported that the functions of science education and public welfare were integrated into the design of the project a scenic park on the roof for residents to use as a recreational area. Inside, there are facilities for public tours, exhibitions, and training, benefiting both the environment and people’s livelihood.

The Baoshan Renewable Energy Utilization Center has set an example for efficient land use in Shanghai’s limited space by turning the traditional undesirable waste plant into a recreational and entertainment-friendly space.

It has hosted several public welfare activities in thematic education, science education, red tours, and cultural promotion. In the future, it will also establish sports facilities, botanical gardens, and an environmental protection museum. Furthermore, green ecological technology upgrades will be implemented to continually increase resource utilization efficiency.

“We are committed to maintaining high standards to drive comprehensive development in industry, education, and research,” said a representative. The Baoshan Renewable Energy Utilization Center will gradually open its doors to the public, offering spaces for science education, environmental protection initiatives, cultural activities, and recreational facilities. This will contribute to the region’s harmonious and sustainable development.