Inside the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) in Minneapolis

May 14, 2017 - January 8, 2019 — Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) — Minneapolis, MN

Inside the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) in Minneapolis, where municipal solid waste is processed and converted into electricity and district steam. Operated by Hennepin County since 1989, the facility uses controlled combustion, turbine generators, and a network of boilers and steam systems. In recent years, activists and community members have been pushing to get the facility closed over public health concerns. In 2023, Hennepin County approved a resolution stating they would close the facility between 2028 and 2040. Environmental groups have said that’s not enough and want a specific date in 2028 set

HERC Facility and Downtown Minneapolis — The Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) sits along 6th Avenue North on the edge of downtown Minneapolis, converting municipal solid waste into electricity and district steam. Opened in 1989 and operated by Hennepin County, the plant processes hundreds of thousands of tons of trash annually, reducing landfill use while supplying energy to nearby buildings.

Crane on the HERC Waste Processing Floor, Minneapolis — A crane-mounted grapple lifts mixed municipal waste inside the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) in downtown Minneapolis. Operated by Hennepin County, the facility began service in 1989 and processes hundreds of thousands of tons of trash each year, burning refuse to generate steam and electricity for the local grid.

HERC Waste Processing Floor, Minneapolis — A crane-mounted grapple lifts mixed municipal waste inside the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) in downtown Minneapolis. Operated by Hennepin County, the facility began service in 1989 and processes hundreds of thousands of tons of trash each year, burning refuse to generate steam and electricity for the local grid.

Waste Processing Floor, HERC Minneapolis — A crane-mounted grapple lifts mixed municipal waste inside the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) in downtown Minneapolis. Operated by Hennepin County, the facility began service in 1989 and processes hundreds of thousands of tons of trash each year, burning refuse to generate steam and electricity for the local grid.

Inside the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC), Minneapolis — Inside the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) in downtown Minneapolis. Operated by Hennepin County, the facility began service in 1989 and processes hundreds of thousands of tons of trash each year, burning refuse to generate steam and electricity for the local grid.

Roof of the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center — Inside the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) in downtown Minneapolis. Operated by Hennepin County, the facility began service in 1989 and processes hundreds of thousands of tons of trash each year, burning refuse to generate steam and electricity for the local grid.

Crane inside the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC), Minneapolis — A crane-mounted grapple lifts mixed municipal waste inside the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) in downtown Minneapolis. Operated by Hennepin County, the facility began service in 1989 and processes hundreds of thousands of tons of trash each year, burning refuse to generate steam and electricity for the local grid.

HERC Combustion Unit Access Doors, Minneapolis — Maintenance access doors line a combustion unit inside the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) in downtown Minneapolis. These sealed panels provide entry points for inspection and servicing of the high-temperature chambers where municipal solid waste is burned. Operated by Hennepin County since 1989, the facility uses controlled combustion to convert trash into energy, producing steam that is distributed to nearby buildings and used to generate electricity. The heavy steel construction and locking mechanisms are designed to withstand sustained heat and pressure while allowing crews to safely access internal components during scheduled outages.

HERC Boiler Floor Equipment, Hennepin Minneapolis — Pumps, valves, and piping systems operate on the boiler floor inside the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) in Minneapolis. These systems circulate water and steam through the facility’s boilers, where heat from burning municipal solid waste is captured and converted into usable energy. The resulting steam is distributed to downtown buildings and also used to generate electricity. In service since 1989 and operated by Hennepin County, the plant relies on a network of motors, gauges, and control valves like these to regulate pressure, flow, and temperature across its waste-to-energy process.

HERC High-Pressure Steam Lines — Inside the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) in downtown Minneapolis. Operated by Hennepin County, the facility began service in 1989 and processes hundreds of thousands of tons of trash each year, burning refuse to generate steam and electricity for the local grid.

HERC Turbine Generator Hall — A turbine generator housing and connected high-pressure steam line are seen inside the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) in Minneapolis. Steam produced from burning municipal solid waste is directed through insulated piping into turbines like this, where it is converted into electricity for the local grid. The enclosed generator units help reduce noise and protect critical components, while adjacent piping and supports manage the flow and pressure of steam across the system. Operating since 1989 under Hennepin County, the facility integrates waste processing with energy production to serve downtown Minneapolis.

HERC Turbine Hall Operations Floor — The turbine hall at the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) in Minneapolis houses control panels, steam piping, and generator equipment that convert heat from burned municipal waste into electricity. High-pressure steam is routed from the boilers through insulated lines into turbines, with control systems monitoring output and maintaining stable operation. Overhead cranes and access platforms support maintenance of large components within the hall. In operation since 1989 and run by Hennepin County, the facility integrates waste processing with power generation and district energy service for downtown Minneapolis.

HERC Control Room Monitoring, Minneapolis — Operators monitor facility systems from a control room inside the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) in Minneapolis. Wall-mounted screens display live camera feeds from across the plant, including the waste bunker and combustion areas, allowing staff to track material flow and equipment conditions in real time. Control panels and logs are used to manage burn rates, steam production, and electrical output, ensuring stable operation of the waste-to-energy process. Operated by Hennepin County since 1989, the facility relies on centralized monitoring like this to coordinate daily operations and maintain safety across the plant.

Inside the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) in Minneapolis

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