Cement kiln cogeneration Some of the waste heat generated in rotary kilns may be reused to preheat raw materials but a significant quantity is lost. To reduce the amount of heat loss and maximise the energy potential of the fuel used in kilns, the excess waste heat can be redirected into a generation plant to produce electricity for reuse within the plant. Cogeneration in cement plants The installation of electricity generation facilities in cement plants is not a new practice. Asia–Pacific Partnership (APP) countries such as Japan, China and India are installing these units in greater numbers to improve the overall efficiency in energy conversion and to capitalise on potential cost and energy savings and (for China and India in particular) clean development incentives. China in particular is installing smaller scale plants to capitalise on the waste heat potential. Unlike other cogeneration systems in which process steam and electricity are produced simultaneously, these plants are commonly referred as ‘bottoming cycle’ plants in that they scavenge the available waste heat to produce electricity. Cogeneration demonstration project The demonstration project is designed to test the feasibility of installing suitable cogeneration technologies in cement plants in Australia. An Australian company, Boral Limited, volunteered one of its plants in Berrima NSW to be the test site for the project. A feasibility study will examine the technical and financial options for installing a plant including such considerations as connection to existing plant, energy and greenhouse gas savings and the implications on other factors such as water use. If the project appears feasible, the study will also carry out preliminary scoping for a business case to assist the company in the implementation of the project. At the time of writing (August 2007), a consultant has been appointed to carry out the feasibility study. Project support The project is jointly supported by Boral Pty Ltd and the Australian Government. The project is a demonstration project for the Asia–Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate (AP6). AP6 is a ground-breaking climate change approach bringing together key developed and developing countries on practical, pro-growth, technology-driven efforts. The Australian Government has committed $100 million to support projects within the AP6 framework. Cement production is an energy intensive process. E nergy in the form of e lectricity is used to power various drive motors to run various systems such as mills, crushers, fans and convey ors. Howe ver , the greatest energy use is in the production of heat for th e pre-treatment of raw materials and the combining of raw materials into clinker in the kiln section of the cement plant. Kiln temperatures in rotary kilns, for example, may be 1500°C or higher and fossil fuels such as coal, gas or oil are typically burnt to achieve those temperatures.