How to design an area-based prioritization of biogas production from organic municipal solid waste? Evidence from Thailand. (1st February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chaianong, Aksornchan; Pharino, Chanathip
• Is Part Of: Waste management. Volume 138(2022)
• Page Start: 243
• Page End: 252
• Publication Date: 2022-02-01
• Subjects: Area-based biogas -- Prioritization -- Organic MSW -- Waste-to-energy -- Anaerobic digestion -- Thailand; Hazardous wastes -- Periodicals; Refuse and refuse disposal -- Periodicals; 363.728
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2021.11.042
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0956-053X

Abstract

Highlights: Assessing area-based biogas potentials help prioritizing high potential areas. Area with 45, 000 capita is recommended for 1 MW of biogas plant. 28% of national areas potentially achieve Thailand's biogas target. 3% of electricity/year could be offset by biogas production in prioritized areas. Abstract: To properly manage municipal solid waste (MSW) and meet the country's biogas target, it is necessary for the government to prioritize their support to areas/provinces that have high resource potential. Therefore, this work designed a holistic approach for nationwide area-based organic MSW to biogas potential estimation. The total biogas power potential was ranged from 999 MW in 2021 to 1, 652 MW in 2037. Moreover, priority setting on area-based biogas implementation was proposed, based on its resource potential to efficiently promote such technology. To achieve current biogas target of the country, the study identified 28% of national area coverage as priorities for actual execution, which could offset averagely 3% per year. To support design and planning purposes, an area with around 45, 000 capita is recommended for developing 1 MW of MSW to biogas power plant using anaerobic digestion technology. The methodology development from this research revealed the link between resource potential and area-based prioritization framework that could be adopted in any growing economies to couple waste management with renewable energy production.