Discovering the energy, economic and environmental potentials of urban wastes: An input–output model for a metropolis case. (15th April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Song, Junnian; Yang, Wei; Li, Zhaoling; Higano, Yoshiro; Wang, Xian'en
• Is Part Of: Energy conversion and management. Volume 114(2016)
• Page Start: 168
• Page End: 179
• Publication Date: 2016-04-15
• Subjects: Urban wastes -- Waste-to-energy -- Input–output model -- Economic benefits -- GHG mitigation; MSW municipal solid waste -- GHG greenhouse gas -- WtE waste-to-energy -- I–O input–output -- WEIs waste-to-energy industries -- GIs general industries -- WDIs waste-derivation industries -- CEIs conventional energy industries -- EIs energy industries -- CNY Chinese yuan -- GRP gross regional product -- CO2-e CO2-equivalent; Direct energy conversion -- Periodicals; Energy storage -- Periodicals; Energy transfer -- Periodicals; Énergie -- Conversion directe -- Périodiques; Direct energy conversion; Periodicals; 621.3105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2016.02.014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0196-8904

Abstract

Highlights: A waste-to-energy system is constructed incorporating various urban wastes and technologies. Waste-to-energy industries are formed and introduced into current socioeconomic system. A novel input–output simulation model is developed and applied to a metropolis. Complete energy, economic and environmental potentials of urban wastes are discovered. Abstract: Tremendous amounts of wastes are generated in urban areas due to accelerating industrialization and urbanization. The current unreasonable waste disposal patterns and potential energy value of urban wastes necessitates the promotion of waste-to-energy implementation. This study is intent on discovering the complete energy, economic and environmental potentials of urban wastes taking municipal solid wastes, waste oil, organic wastewater and livestock manure into consideration. A waste-to-energy system is constructed incorporating these wastes and five waste-to-energy technologies. A novel input–output simulation model is developed and applied to a metropolis to introduce the waste-to-energy system into the current socioeconomic system and form five waste-to-energy industries. The trends in waste generation and energy recovery potential, economic benefits and greenhouse gas mitigation contribution for the study area are estimated and explored from 2011 to 2025. By 2025, biodiesel production and power generation could amount to 72.11 thousand t and 1.59 billion kW h respectively. Due to the highest energy recovery and the most subsidies, the organic wastewater biogas industry has the highest output and net profit, followed by the waste incineration power generation industry. In total 17.97 million t (carbon dioxide-equivalent) accumulative greenhouse gas emission could be mitigated. The organic wastewater biogas industry and waste incineration power generation industry are more advantageous for the study area in terms of better energy, economic and environmental performances. The methods presented and the quantified energy, economic and environmental potentials of urban wastes are expected to provide local decision makers with options for sounder waste management.