Enablers towards establishing and growing South Africa’s waste to electricity industry

Abstract

In South Africa the electricity generation mix is relatively un-diverse whereas globally the transformation of the sector is advancing rapidly. Coal remains the predominant fuel source and limited success has to date been achieved in the renewable energy sector. The electricity generation sector is therefore hindered from moving towards an electricity generation landscape where alternative fuel sources is utilised. This research is aimed at gaining insight into the enablers that led towards an increasing trend (observed globally) in exploiting waste as a fuel for electricity generation, and to outline the presence of obstacles that hinder separation of waste for electricity use in the South African context. Furthermore it is an attempt at informing what appropriate interventions (operational and policy) may be considered suitable for South Africa to overcome these barriers in order to enable a sustainable South African waste to electricity (WTE) Industry. Findings show that numerous barriers to a WTE exists in the South African context, however overcoming these barriers is not as simple as adopting the European model with the aim to modify the electricity generation mix and waste management landscape. Selected enablers deemed appropriate in the South African context are adapted from the European model, and are greatly influenced by the prevailing socio-economic status of South Africa. Primary enablers identified were, (i) government support is needed especially in the form of subsidisation for green energy, (ii) increase landfill costs through the implementation of a landfill tax, (iii) streamline the process for Independent Private Power Producers (IPPPs) to connect to the national grid with off-take guaranteed and the inclusion of WTE into an electricity roadmap (effectively government's strategy). The proposed enabling interventions would help in overcoming the barriers for a South African WTE industry.

Suitability of municipal solid waste in African cities for thermochemical waste-to-energy conversion: The case of Harare Metropolitan City, Zimbabwe

“…Similar studies in selected African countries concur that, while the mean overall LHV for MSW can be as low as 5.0-6.0 MJ kg −1 , those for the urban centers have higher calorific values, for example Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (12.0 MJ kg −1 ), South Africa (7.0 MJ kg −1 ) and Nigeria’s southern and northern cities (13.1 and 11.9 MJ kg −1 , respectively) (Amsterdam and Thopil, 2017; Cambridge Industries Energy, 2017; Ogunjuyigbe et al, 2017).…”

“…While the US, the EU and selected Asian countries have demonstrated success in this regard, waste-to-energy (WtE) technologies are yet to be fully embraced in most African cities (Scarlat et al, 2015). So far, only a few have recorded successes in co-generation (Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa), and landfill gas (LFG) to electricity (Mauritius, South Africa) (Amsterdam and Thopil, 2017; Ogunjuyigbe et al, 2017). Some, like Cameroon, have only managed to recover and flare bio-methane from MSW landfills mostly for safety and environmental reasons (Roopnarain and Adeleke, 2017).…”

“…Undoubtedly, the investment and technical demands of WtE systems as an option for MSW disposal are among the major reasons for the slow adoption of WtE in African cities, especially where land for constructing landfills is readily available and cheap (Amsterdam and Thopil, 2017). Additionally, for most African cities, up-to-date data pertaining to the chemical characteristics of the MSW generated is lacking, which renders them technically unprepared for WtE.…”

A Techno-economic Analysis of Anaerobic Digestion and Gasification Hybrid System: Energy Recovery from Municipal Solid Waste in South Africa

“…This increment is attributed to urbanisation, population growth and economic development. Similarly, to [10] reported that South Africa produces a total of 108 million tons of MSW per year, with 59 million tons being general waste and 1 million ton representing hazardous waste, while the remainder is unclassified. From 59 million tons of general MSW, 10% is recyclable, of which 53.1 million tons are sent to landfill.…”

Feasibility and Barriers for Anaerobic Digestion in Mexico City

“…So far, only a few have recorded successes. Undoubtedly, the investment and technical demands for advanced waste treatment systems are the major reasons for the slow adoption of WtE in emerging countries [2]. Additionally, recent data on characteristics of the MSW is missing in most developing countries.…”