Multi-Criteria Analysis of Waste-to-Energy Technologies in Developed and Developing Countries

Naser Almanaseer,Elliot Nestico-Semianiw,Connor Dunlop,Bassim Abbassi,Kyle Friesen

doi:10.5755/j01.erem.76.1.25254

Abstract

The main objective of this paper is to utilize a multi-criteria analysis (MCA) to evaluate Waste-to-Energy (WTE) technologies and identify constraints when examining the placement of a WTE facility. From this, the focus is best summarized by determining the optimal WTE technology in developed countries and how the process would change if implemented in developing nations. In this study, incineration, gasification, and pyrolysis technologies were reviewed and evaluated. The MCA evaluated the different WTE technologies based on a variety of criteria considering environmental, financial, social, technical, and waste quality and quantity. Different weighted factors were used for the two MCAs and different alternative weighted factor scenarios were produced to perform a sensitivity analysis on the results. Overall, pyrolysis was found to be the preferred option for the developed and the developing nation in all scenarios. For developed countries, the highest difference in the overall index score (7 %) was found in incineration between the baseline and scenario 4. In developing countries, the highest differences in the overall index scores were found in scenario 3 for incineration (9 %) and pyrolysis (10 %). Although pyrolysis had the highest overall capital cost due to it being the newest technology, the environmental, social, associated risk, and waste benefits were seen to be more significant on the findings.

Highlights

As comprehensive information gathered from the World Energy Council, establishing the present-day status of waste-to-energy (WTE) in developed and developing regions is a critical part of the study being conducted
The goal of this paper is to determine the optimal WTE in a developed region based on defined multi-criteria analysis, and analyse the obstacles and necessary changes for WTE implementation in developing countries based on the constraints imposed
The multi-criteria analysis (MCA) was further specified into assessments, which are the specific aspects of the criteria that need to be considered

Summary

Introduction

As comprehensive information gathered from the World Energy Council, establishing the present-day status of waste-to-energy (WTE) in developed and developing regions is a critical part of the study being conducted. It is predicted that the global market surrounding WTE will continue its steady annual growth of 5.5% into the year 2023 (World Energy Council, 2016). This will represent a total value of roughly 40 billion in US dollars. In 2013, Europe was considered the largest market, encompassing 47.6% of the total market revenue, whereas China was considered the fastest-growing market This data represents summaries from the past, China is planning to install the world’s largest incinerator (constructed to burn 5,000 metric tons of waste daily) in Shenzhen, China, by 2020, which only further shows the progress being made on WTE facilities in developed countries (World Energy Council, 2016). Urbanisation is continuing to increase the output of waste and the gap in WTE facilities in regions around the world is clearly evident (Dhar et al, 2017)

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion