Enfinium is rolling out visual AI technology across its UK facilities to detect contaminants in real-time. The company aims to significantly reduce plant downtime and increase operational efficiency.
Key Takeaways
- Enfinium is rolling out visual AI technology across its UK facilities to detect contaminants in real-time, enhancing operational efficiency.
- The AI system will identify non-conforming materials, reducing plant downtime by up to 30% and increasing output by around 2%.
- Successful trials at Ferrybridge 2 and Parc Adfer prompted the rollout to additional facilities, including Ferrybridge 1 and Kemsley.
- AI-powered cameras will analyse waste streams and issue real-time alerts to staff for immediate action.
Waste-to-Energy operator Enfinium has announced the expansion of visual artificial intelligence (AI) technology across all of its operational facilities in the United Kingdom. The system, supplied by the software specialist Wasteer, is designed to identify non-conforming materials entering the processing facilities. As a result, the technology aims to improve the efficiency of waste processing by removing contaminants. This helps to prevent plant downtime and enhance operational performance.
The decision follows successful trials of the visual AI technology at Enfinium’s Ferrybridge 2 facility in West Yorkshire and its Parc Adfer facility in North Wales. Based on the performance during these pilots, the system will now be implemented at the Ferrybridge 1, Kemsley, Kelvin, and Skelton Grange facilities. The rollout is planned throughout 2026.
AI-Powered Cameras To Detect Contaminants
The technology utilises AI-powered cameras to automatically analyse incoming waste streams. It detects contaminants and non-conforming waste products before they can cause operational issues. The integrated system issues real-time alerts to plant staff when such materials are identified, enabling their removal.
The implementation is expected to reduce plant downtime by up to 30 per cent and increase output by approximately 2 per cent. Additionally, the system will generate data insights that can be shared with fuel suppliers. This will support improved contaminant removal before the waste arrives at the facilities.
Commitment To Innovation And Performance
Dr Jane Atkinson CBE, Chief Operating Officer at Enfinium, stated: “The implementation of this technology across enfinium’s EfW fleet is just one of many examples of our continued commitment to innovation and improved performance. The success of both Wasteer pilots at Ferrybridge 2 and Parc Adfer made it an easy decision to roll the technology out across our fleet.” She added that the partnership will improve operational efficiency and ensure reliable waste management for local communities.
Benedict von Spankeren, CEO of Wasteer, commented on the expansion: “As our previous pilots have shown, our technology solutions offer a highly productive solution to the issue of non-conforming waste within energy-from-waste facilities with minimal required input from the EfW operator.”
Leave a Reply