Electric Power Based on the Solid Urban Waste: Applied to the District of Bellaterra in Barcelona, Spain

Abstract

The high growth of Urban Solid Waste forces to seek measures to handle this waste. Applying advanced Thermochemical technology will take advantage of this waste in order to obtain Sustainable Energy. The objective of this study is to analyze the input, production and output behavior of this type of waste so that it can be transformed and used for energy purposes, based on the needs of the community. It is a quantitative, experimental study; after understanding the residual behavior of the community and applying the appropriate technology, it was obtained the quantified amount of energy (975'000 kWh) required for the different proposed scenarios. These scenarios are the use for public lighting, sale and domestic. The thermochemical method applied is not only efficient to extract energy from these wastes but also provides a compatible and environmentally friendly energy source. This energy source was used to supply a local school and 948 homes. The ideas es to achieve a paradigm shift, to avoid thinking that Urban Solid Waste that is generated from day to day is something useless; on the contrary, it is a vital source to provide a basic service for human beings. From a financial point a view, it is estimated that the initial investment will be recovered in the next 10 years, which, seen in the long term, is the useful life of the Pyrolysis plant due to working with the minimum raw material input standards.

Platform for Micro-Hydro Generation in Rural Areas of Ecuador

“…The implementation of alternative, sustainable, and environmentally friendly energy source is necessary as the world moves towards the goal of providing electricity for all [1]- [3]. In Ecuador, there are still areas far from the national interconnected electric system, making it challenging and costly to connect to the installed system [4], [5].…”

Evaluation of risk levels due to exposure to biological agents during the process of collecting household urban solid waste

“…La mitad de estos no reciben una disposición final adecuada por lo que la recolección continúa siendo deficiente. A pesar de existir legislación ambiental vigente, que prohíbe la disposición final sin previo tratamiento de residuos especiales y peligrosos, es habitual que esta tarea la realicen simultáneamente con los residuos comunes en muchos países, generando una posible afectación en la salud en la población trabajadora y en el ambiente [1], en algunos países inclusive estos desechos son usados para generación de energía [2].…”