Waste to Energy as an Alternative Energy Source and Waste Management Solution

Abstract

Recently, one of the major and serious worldly concerns is the limitation of energy resources. Developing countries in specific, confronts a critical crises relating to fossil fuel resources, and mostly concerning the production of electricity energy from fired thermal power plants. The urbanization and economic growth, have significantly contributed to the municipal solid waste (MSW) generation increase. The massive volume of the generated waste in developing countries requires sustainable management. MSW high generation rate make it difficult to handle in a proper way. As the energy demand has increased during past years due to the massive consumption rate, in the context of meet the future energy demand with low health issues and environment crisis; a new technologies must introduced. Therefore, this paper presents a review on WTE technology as a solution of MSW problem and providing alternative source of energy. WTE technologies mean utilizing waste to generate energy or converting garbage to be alternative energy source. Biological treatment is showing in the biogas utilization; landfill sites could also produce LFG with massive amount which have the ability to produce power as it have 30% CH 4 content by volume in the total stream, The Reppie thermal plant is considered a solution for both waste and energy sectors as it produce power to cover 30% of city households electricity needs. Increasing the level of awareness to environmental practices would help to present and support WTE technologies, as people behavior towards waste could help to establish a proper waste management hierarchy that activate reduce, reuse and recycling programs before goes to disposal or burin stage.