The BG&E Materials team has a wealth of knowledge in the use of alternative materials derived from waste streams and has worked with clients such as the Ash Development Association of Australia, Delta Electricity, AGL Energy, and Energy Australia.

Since 1958, fly ash has been extensively used as Supplementary Cementitious Material (SCM) in the production of construction materials and concrete applications in Australia. However, this only reflects a proportion of the material produced, with the majority being stored in dedicated ponds or repositories at power stations.

In Australia, about 12 million tonnes of Coal Combustion Products (CCPs) are generated annually as a waste product of burning coal for electricity – the majority of which is fly ash. Only some 20% of this CCP is beneficially reused, and over 600 million tonnes of CCPs are currently stored in repositories and ash dams across the country, representing a significant opportunity for the sustainable reuse of this byproduct.

The use of repository and dam-sourced fly ash could

• Improve the quality of supplied concrete.
• Be used as an aggregate (rock and sand components) in concrete products, fill materials, and road construction.
• Reduce the proportion of material stored in landfills.
• Supplement current quarrying requirements essential for building and construction.

Stanwell Corporation engaged BG&E to work collaboratively to identify, assess, and undertake a market analysis of Stanwell’s repository ashes. The assessment identified specific products and markets suited for the material and provided a detailed evaluation of these opportunities.

Recommendations that align with Stanwell’s corporate goals were made and agreed upon. These include supporting their transition from coal to alternative power generation, potentially unlocking tonnes of material annually, and significantly reducing carbon emissions.