Economic development and growth of a nation depends mainly on the energy sector, which is a driving force for the progress of a country. The increasing energy needs and its fulfillment through conventional and renewable resources is a great challenge [1]. Pakistan is under severe energy crises and depends on imports of fuels in order to meet needs, but still we are facing a huge load-shedding. Industries have been ruined due to this situation, i.e., many textile mills are closed. We are mainly using conventional fossil fuels for energy generation, i.e., 50.4% of natural gas, 29% oil, 11% hydro power, and about 7.6% coal, and it has been recognized globally that their consumption has raised many environmental issues. In Pakistan energy plays a vital role in strategic planning sectors, and various concerns such as prices of energy, climate change, and population growth has led us toward Pol. J. Environ. Stud. Vol. 26, No. 6 (2017), 2721-2729
AbstractPakistan is currently facing a severe energy crisis. According to the latest 2016 figures issued by the government of Pakistan (GOP), electricity demand of the country is about 21,200 MW against the maximum generation 16,000 MW, with a shortfall of about 5,000 MW. The presented study was carried out to find an environmentally friendly renewable source of energy to fill this gap. For this purpose Lahore municipal solid waste was used to calculate the power generation potential. Sampling was completed from all three economic zones -high income (H), medium income (M), and low income (L) -during the whole year, capturing the impacts of all seasons. These samples were brought to a laboratory and analyzed for their calorific values with the help of a bomb calorimeter according to WTE-thermal treatment process. Gross calorific and theoretical energy recovery potential value (from H, L, and M) areas were 3,670, 2,753, and 1,960 kcal/ kg, and 5,872, 4,405, and 3,136 kwh/ton, respectively. This waste-to-energy (WTE) treatment is the most suitable solution for pollution-free LMSW conversion into a renewable energy generation source.
