Rethinking waste-to-energy for micro-generation
Kate Stubbs, Interwaste
The exploration of alternative energy sources and projects has been much discussed of late, particularly considering the problems Eskom continues to face and the looming reality of further load shedding across the country as we head into winter.
But, to really explore the opportunities that waste can present as an alternative fuel source for energy, it is important to understand the current landscape and that effective solutions for waste management are fundamental to the contribution and achievement of carbon emission reduction targets and future sustainability in the country.
Current statistics highlight that South Africans generate 108 million tonnes of waste per annum, and that only 10% of this waste is currently being recycled. The remaining 90% is disposed at landfill sites, which are fast approaching full capacity.
In efforts to curb the potential looming waste crisis and to institute enforceable mechanisms to drive change in behaviour, government has already released and continues to release changes to the National Environment Management: Waste Act of 2008, which is aligned to the theme of diverting waste from landfills.
These changes are also in line with global trends of zero waste to landfill and promoting “circular economy” thinking which challenges the status quo and encourages a mind-set change around waste and waste management.
A circular economy, for instance, is a reformative system in which resource input, waste, emission and energy leakage are minimised. This means eliminating unnecessary wastage and waste generation that would eventually be disposed of at landfill sites. This can be achieved by optimising resource efficiency through sustainable product designs, recovery, re-use and recycling of products, or energy production through the systematic approach of the waste hierarchy.
With this in mind, it should be stated that, as there are already some public and private sector-led zero waste to landfill interventions and initiatives underway across the country, these may not leave sufficient waste available to justify the spend in developing a standalone waste-to-energy micro-generation project to serve a singular site. However, there is one possible structure that can be investigated in the African environment: pooling non-recyclable refuse for derived fuel micro-generation.
While one site alone (e.g. an industrial site like a mine) may not produce sufficient quantities of suitable waste to make the business case for developing a waste-to-energy power project, there is perhaps great opportunity for a collective of mines and/or other industrial businesses, as well as local municipalities, to pool their suitable non-recyclable or recoverable waste to such an end.
Implementing a refuse derived fuel (RDF) plant requires buy-in and collaboration between the public and private sectors, as well as the surrounding community.
Although the business case will still be very dependent on the available volumes of suitable waste to sustain production and power outputs, this model is perhaps more feasible for remote and isolated areas that have little access to the national power grid or sufficient waste removal support services. In such cases, there may be a business case for exploring potential biogas projects from human waste and other biodegradable food wastes.
Nevertheless, the viability and benefits would depend on the volume of waste generated, and whether or not one could identify a bona fide use for the biogas generated.
We are inspired every day by how perceptions of refuse and waste continue to change and evolve as governments, industries and citizens force the hand of the waste industry to innovate around repurposing waste.
Globally, the waste-to-energy market is expected to grow from 28,4-billion dollars in 2017 to almost 43-billion dollars in 2024, representing a massive economic opportunity to establish new industries and revenue streams.
Contact Kate Stubbs, Interwaste, Tel 011 323-7300, marketing@interwaste.co.za
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