Spotlight – The Crane
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At the Gloucestershire Energy from Waste Facility, the crane is an integral part of daily operations, ensuring the facility functions efficiently and reliably. Not only is it a key piece of equipment, but it’s also a favourite among visitors, capturing attention with its size, precision, and constant activity. It’s a simple fact that without the crane, the facility couldn’t operate.
When collection crews deliver household residual waste to the facility, the first step is weighing and tipping the waste into a vast storage bunker. This is where the crane takes over, performing a range of important tasks. Its primary function is to transfer waste from the bunker into the feed hoppers, which supply the combustion chambers where energy is generated. However, its role doesn’t stop there.
The crane also ensures the waste in the bunker is thoroughly mixed. This blending process creates a consistent material composition, which is essential for efficient combustion and helps minimise emissions. Additionally, the crane acts as a safeguard, scanning for any inappropriate items that might have slipped into the waste stream. Objects like large metal items or gas bottles, which could damage equipment or pose safety risks, are carefully removed and set aside for recycling or safe disposal.
From a control room overlooking the storage bunker, skilled operators manage the crane’s every move with remarkable precision. The operators’ station, often likened to a command seat straight out of a science fiction film, provides an ideal vantage point for overseeing the crane’s activities. These operators are highly trained, ensuring the crane performs its tasks with accuracy and efficiency while keeping the entire process safe and seamless. It’s no small feat, given the thousands of tonnes of waste processed at the facility each year.
Visitors, particularly school groups like those from Dinglewell Primary School, are often captivated by the crane. Affectionately nicknamed “the claw,” it frequently stands out as one of the most memorable parts of their visit. For many, the sight of the crane in action sparks fascination, with children especially imagining themselves in the operator’s chair, taking control and enjoying endless fun.
Since operations began, the crane has handled around 1million tonnes of waste - a remarkable achievement. To maintain peak performance, the crane undergoes a scheduled maintenance outage every autumn, typically in September or October, ensuring it remains ready for the facility’s demanding workload.
Whether silently working behind the scenes or stealing the spotlight during a tour, the crane is at the heart of the Gloucestershire Energy from Waste Facility.
Click here for more information about the design of the facility or here for more information about tours of the facility for schools and general public.
