Assessing the Potential Role of Dark Fermentation of Waste Streams and Its Related Business Models in Future Circular Economy

Abstract

The global community is facing an unprecedented perfect storm battling with the Grand Challenge of climate change, with economic, societal and environmental ramifications being felt as much as never before, with South Asia at the epicenter. With greenhouse gas(GHG) emissions as the main driver of climate change, special attention is put into decarbonizing sectors that are the main contributors of these gasses. These include obvious ones, such as the energy sector, but also less obvious like waste. Nonetheless, numerous challenges lie on that end. For the former, intermittency of renewable energy is the biggest obstacle, whereas for the latter waste management and valorization are the key challenges to overcome. Dark fermentation has the potential to be the process that connects these seemingly irrelevant sectors through the solution of bio hydrogen. Hydrogen has been touted by many as the most promising alternative as an energy carrier and means of storage, primarily due to its energy density and lack of carbon content. Dark fermentation is applied both to municipal and agricultural waste, using easy to cultivate bacteria such as clostridium combined with E.coli. With the organic acids that remain, bio stimulants can be generated to benefit the rural communities, whereas with residue remaining from the lower hydrocarbon chains, useful bio methane can be channeled towards heating and cooking. This study initially examines sustainability, circularity and economic functionality of such a business model. It also assesses the implications, opportunities and challenges of a business model around dark fermentation for stakeholders, including farmers, distribution operators, energy storage companies and renewable energy communities. Finally, this study emphasizes on the public private partnership (PPP) possibilities and the strategies and policies. Multiple methods will be utilized, including empirical evidence/knowledge and literature research, but also interviewing methods will be included, if time allows, to the stakeholders involved, such as municipal workers, grid distribution/transmission professionals, regular citizens - members of renewable energy communities and farmers. The outcomes expected from this research are to identify the best and most cost-efficient dark fermentation practices, including the most cost-effective and least energy intensive byproducts, but also make a painstaking stakeholder map. In this way, the economic, social and ethical costs and benefits will also be identified.