In the world of art, economic downturns and a rather deep global financial crisis are not helpful. The latest Van Gogh portraits, Andy Warhol silkscreens or Lucio Fontana creative pieces do not fetch the anticipated auction prices. Lesser pieces swing down in value and speculators take a line towards the exit. Fortunately, in the world of waste management, art retains value and, depending on your spreadsheet, increases its returns several-fold over time.
Recently I attended the celebration event for the grand opening of Austria’s new Pfaffenau waste-to-energy facility, located in Vienna (Simmering). It is the third such facility, serving approximately 1.6 million people. The celebration highlighted the challenging processes of planning, decision making, public acceptance, financing, design, construction and start-up operations. An extended technical tour followed, with particular emphasis on the energy production elements (steam for district heating, electrical generation and biogas).
Interestingly, Pfaffenau is not simply another to be added to the already 400+ operating facilities in Europe. What really grabs one’s attention is the design of this structure. From both ground level and from the air, it is an artistic achievement at its best – words do not describe it. The result of an EU design competition, it would receive top marks in the book of any solid waste manager, says this writer. Steel netting, orange themes, sleek design, and a minimal combustion stack all point to what can be done with a determined effort and successful execution.
Integration of well-placed art into waste management facilities is not new to the city of Vienna. For example, its other operating WTE facility in Spittelau is recognized by its avant-garde, mosaic-style exterior – it is a building sculpture beyond architecture and like no other in our industry. If two facilities make a trend, then I am all for it.
Clearly the costs for art in the waste management field can be at the high end (say the €200 to €300 million range for total construction) compared to lesser purchases at Sotheby’s or Christie’s. That said, history will show us these facilities tend to retain their value. The benefits that can be ascribed to waste-to-energy plants are definitive and long term, including: solving a waste disposal challenge, delivering energy, promoting recycling programs, raising community property values and improving environmental quality. Similar to most good art, waste-to-energy facilities have a track record of paying back the financing that was obtained to create the piece in the first place. We just need a slightly larger frame for displaying it.
Greg Vogt is Managing Director of ISWA and ISWA Editor of Waste Management World.
e-mail: gvogt@iswa.dk
