Addressing the energy trilemma through advanced gasification Advanced gasification technology is revolutionising the waste-to-energy sector, playing a crucial role in the circular economy and decarbonisation
Amna Bezanty KEW Technology
T he UK and much of the world are trapped in an energy ‘trilemma’ as we grapple with the affordability, security, and sustainability of our energy. Similarly, waste and what we do with it has been and continues to be a massive problem. Whether in developing countries without any waste management infrastructure or in developed economies driven by consumerism, circular economies must be created to reduce the amount of waste ending up in the environment and damaging our land and seas. The current waste hierarchy begins with reduction. We all know we have to create less waste. Then, there is reuse and recycling. Travel down the pyramid, and we hit the well-known solutions of how we traditionally deal with waste – recovery (via incineration) backed up by disposal (via landfill). We need to divert waste going to landfill and incineration. In many countries, landfilling is still the predominant solution. In general, organic waste, such as food scraps and yard waste, tends to generate more methane as it decomposes anaerobically (without oxygen) in landfills. According to estimates by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the conversion factor for methane emissions from municipal solid waste (MSW) in landfill is around one tonne of methane per tonne of waste. This is significantly detrimental to the environment and global warming as methane is a potent greenhouse gas, with much higher warming potential than carbon dioxide over a short time frame. The next best alternative is incineration. For many decades, this has been the primary way many countries treat waste.
However, what if another way could fundamentally change waste management systems by decarbonising waste before it hits incineration and landfill? While incineration is preferable to landfill, we need to consider the following factors: Landfilling must be phased out. Grid electricity is becoming more sustainable through wind, solar and other renewable sources. Electricity from waste incineration is carbon intensive in comparison to renewable electricity generation sources. Waste is potentially more valuable as a feedstock for energy solutions in harder-to- decarbonise sectors.
Smart embedded circular economy infrastructure
Agricultural biomasses, straw,
KEW TECHNOLOGY
sewage sludge, digestate
Circular economy
CCUS
Growing markets concrete & aggregates Biochar
H
Woody biomass
Hazardous waste
RDF from C&I and municipal waste
including CAT 3 aviation waste
Figure 1 KEW diverts waste from landfill through a circular economy solution
www.decarbonisationtechnology.com
73
Powered by FlippingBook