WASTE-TO-ENERGY. ENERGY/CLIMATE GROUP SUSTAINABILITY OPPORTUNITIES Exploring Sustainability at the Cross-roads of Science and Technology

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1 WASTE-TO-ENERGY ENERGY/CLIMATE GROUP SUSTAINABILITY OPPORTUNITIES Exploring Sustainability at the Cross-roads of Science and Technology Group Members: Veronica Carlsson, Stefanía Ósk Garðarsdóttir, Toni Gutknecht, Jean-Vianey Nyarubuye

2 OUTLINE Introduction/Background Waste-to-Energy concepts Major Players Challenges/Advantages Case Studies Biogas in Rwanda Waste-to-Energy in Sweden Waste-to-energy from sustainability perspectives Summary

3 INTRODUCTION AND AIM Waste is generated worldwide in large quantities On average 1.2 kg/capita/day in urban areas. Expected to increase to 1.42 kg/capita/day in 2050 Long-term sustainable solutions have to be implemented for waste management! A set of many different solutions is needed This project aims to highlight conditions where waste-to-energy has been successful But also to point out its drawback and challenge the relation to sustainable development!

4 THE WASTE-TO-ENERGY CONCEPT Technology Type of waste Treated Energy Product Incineration Gasification MSW MSW, sewage sludge, biomass and others Electricity, district heating/cooling Syngas, methanol, hydrogen, synthetic fuel Pyrolysis Waste plastics, waste tires Syngas, biochar, oil products Anaerobic Digestion and Fermentation Biodegradable material, e.g. sewage sludge, food waste, animal manure Biogas, fertilizer from digestate

5 MAJOR PLAYERS Waste generators (residents, industries, institutions, municipal services etc..) Municipalities Local government Companies and institutions End user/customer Skilled labor Academia National and international governmental bodies.

6 CHALLENGES & ADVANTAGES + Less waste landfilled + Reduced emissions of methane + Does not compete with all recycling + Avoided CO 2 emissions from fossil fueled power plants + Positive effect on recovery of ferrous and non-ferrous metals + Can decrease pressure on natural resources (e.g. fuelwood in developing countries) + Reduced deforestation and soil nutrient depletion + Social benefits e.g. reduced workload and health benefits by improved indoor air quality Many stakeholders involved, cooperation is vital Requires organizational capacity and the appropriate technical solutions Financial barriers Social barriers, e.g. lack of information and education for adapting technologies Incineration not the most efficient way to manage waste Low electrical efficiency of incineration plants Well thought out collecting system required High cost compared to landfilling Inconsistent composition of feed

7 CASE STUDY I BIOGAS IN RWANDA Introduction Geopolitical Circumstances Massive deforestation Soil erosion Vision 2020 & EDPRSs Energy Situation

8 POLICY MEASURES Energy policy (mininfra, 2004) The policy emphasized on the development and use of techniques that minimize the use of firewood and charcoals, whilst enhancing the use of alternative sustainable energy supply. Biogas technology identified as one of the solutions Closed-loop cycle

9 NATIONAL DOMESTIC BIOGAS PROGRAMME BIOGAS PLANTS + 30 SCHOOLS + 11 PRISONS + 3 RELIGIOUS CONGREGATIONS + 2 MILITARY CAMPS

10 NATIONAL DOMESTIC BIOGAS PROGRAMME Benefits + Environmental + Social + Health + Economical Challenges - Finance - Minimal institutional capacity - Lack of skilled personnel - Inadequate marketing and awareness campaign

11 WASTE-TO-ENERGY IN SWEDEN Rwanda Sweden Population Population Density 460 people /km 2 21 people/ km 2 GDP per capita 638 USD (2013) Mean Temperatures July 20 C January 20.5 C USD (2013) July 16.8 C January -4.3 C There is a need for heating in Sweden and to a certain degree cooling In Rwanda the need for heating is less but the need for biofuels is higher.

12 WHERE DOES THE ENERGY COME FROM

13 CASE STUDY II SYSAV (MALMÖ) Owned by 14 municipalities (635,000 people) Each person in Sysav s owner municipalities produced 510 kg of waste in total 276 kg came from municipal collections of household waste 234 kg was disposed of at a recycling centers. Licensed to incinerate 630,000 tons/year Produces (yearly) 1.5 TWh of district heating (60%) 270 GWh of electricity

14 CASE STUDY II SYSAV (MALMÖ)

15 WASTE-TO-ENERGY IN SWEDEN Why is Sweden a waste-to-energy success? Policies favorable to waste-to-energy Price on carbon/carbon tax High landfilling taxes and fees/ban on landfills Recognition of waste-to-energy as a renewable resource Direct subsidies/tax credits Extensive District Heating Networks Absence of Cheap Domestic Sources of Energy Higher Price of Electricity Ample supply of Waste Public Support High recycling rate Limited Land Resources

16 WASTE-TO-ENERGY IN SWEDEN CARBON TAX

17 Concepts and perspectives

18 Intergenerational equity Weak and strong sustainability Rich - poor

19 Economic growth

20 Dilemmas

21 Sustainable development goals Goal 7 - Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all Goal 11 - Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable Goal 13 - Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

22 Learning perspectives Sort and manage waste Material awareness renew or reuse Minimize consumption

23 CONCLUSIONS Waste-to-energy is one of many options for sustainable waste treatment It can produce biogas, heat, electricity as well as other valuable byproducts Site-specific conditions are extremely important for choice of technology and chances of success Many players have to cooperate for success Financial aspects, who should bear which cost? What is sustainable for one group of actors might not be for another social dilemmas and issues with intergenerational equity!