Assessment of the benefits from energy recovery based on the greenhouse gas emission reduction scenario in urban landfills – A case study in Bac Lieu Province, Vietnam

Abstract

Bac Lieu is one of the provinces with the fastest rate of socio-economic development and urbanization in the Ca Mau Peninsula and the coastal areas of the Mekong Delta Region (MDR). Like many other urban regions in Vietnam, Bac Lieu has always faced significant challenges in the management and treatment of municipal solid waste (MSW) and controlling greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from landfills. This study was carried out to analyze and assess the profits gained from the scenario of minimizing GHG contributions in the Hoa Binh landfill, which is one of the largest landfills in Bac Lieu Province. On the basis of the circular economy orientation and planning MSW management with a vision to 2030, the EnLandFill 2019 software (ENvironmental information – model integrated system for air emission and dispersion estimation from LandFill) was applied. The highlight outcomes presented that from 2020 to 2035, the total GHG emission potential for the landfill gas recovery scenario was 19.270 thousand tonnes of CO2-eq, which was 7.978 times lower than the case of no recovery. Furthermore, the benefits achieved from the maximum capacity of electricity generation potential in 2032 are up to 1.932 million kWh/year with a power plant size of 220.540 MW. The research provided theoretical and practical implications, playing a crucial role as a driving force in promoting the development of provincial public policies and investments. Moreover, thereby oriented with a multi-objective approach to an integrated relationship of environment, economy, and society, as well as toward an urban of sustainable development.