As long as we’re talking about Canada these days on the site here, I’ll go ahead and mention that Ottowa has approved construction of a facility that will turn 400 metric tons of garbage into 21 megawatts of electricity every day. I didn’t even know this technology even existed, but it seems like it’s the best idea ever.

Technology Review (published by those fancy-pants at MIT) reports today that this plant, to be constructed by the PlascoEnergy Group, would be the first large-scale gas-to-energy facility in North America. Technically, the process is called “gasification,” and

Most gasification plants work by subjecting waste to extreme heat in the absence of oxygen. Under these conditions, the waste breaks down to yield a blend of hydrogen and carbon monoxide called syngas that can be burned in turbines and engines.What has held back the technology in North America is high operating costs.

The building costs alone are looking to be $125 million, and said operating costs will be covered by PlascoEnergy, though they will charge Ottowa $60 per metric ton of garbage. However, costs aside, it seems like this plan kills a couple really big birds with one stone. 21 megawatts of electricity can power 19,000 homes. No small feat considering they’re being powered by garbage that would otherwise to go to landfill.

You can takepart and read the press release and fact sheet provided by PlascoEnergy to learn more about the project, and takepart to visit the website for the Gasification Technologies Council.

Thanks to treehugger.com for the image!