Sustainable utilization of energy from waste: A review of potentials and challenges of Waste-to-energy in South Africa

Adeleke, Oluwatobi; Akinlabi, Stephen A.; Jen, Tien-Chien; Dunmade, Israel

doi:10.1080/15435075.2021.1914629

Cited by 21 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…Thereafter, the gas is converted into electrical energy by the turbines and a step-up transformer is used to supply the electricity of the same voltage into the municipality's grid (Gumbo, 2016). The gas collection system for the flaring as installed in the ethekwini landfill sites proved adequate as a pre-injection treatment system for the engine generators (Adeleke et al, 2021).…”

Section: Status Of the Landfill To Energy Projects In The Rsamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Research has indicated that the main contributory factors to the gap in technology advancement and level of investment in state-of-the-art technologies are well-developed policies, which are accompanied by well-developed infrastructure (Adeleke et al, 2021). Countries such as RSA, on the contrary, are still grappling with the challenges of adopting the state of art technologies.…”

Section: Waste-to-energy Routes In the Republic Of South Africamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It has, however, been noted that it is impracticable to simply transfer the EU model or technologies into South Africa without evaluating the peculiar local factors that impede the growth of WtE and the causes of many failed WtE projects. As result, it is indicated that adequate information provided by full exploration of the pitfalls of WtE Industries in South Africa in the light of the success factors in the EU would help enhance the performance and bring about advancement over time (Adeleke et al, 2021).…”

Section: Waste-to-energy Routes In the Republic Of South Africamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As a result, proven and emerging technologies offer practical solutions to effectively implement LFGE projects for direct use and electricity generation, including the treatment of LFG to remove moisture, particulates, and other impurities. However, in the context of RSA, LFGE is not yet prioritized by the government and is still holding out on coal because of inadequate public acceptance, and there are some misunderstandings on LFGE (Adeleke et al, 2021).…”

Section: Benefits Of Landfill Gas To Energymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The study concluded that the implementation of LFG utilization is economically feasible based on the sales of electricity generated and certified emission reductions (CERs). Adeleke et al (2021) investigated the potential of energy recovery from waste in Africa focusing on South Africa. The authors identified challenges facing the full exploration of the energy potentials of waste and full-operative WtE processing in South Africa such as the country's waste management and energy system, the cheap and affordable coal resources, and the low landfill tax.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Waste-to-energy in a developing country: The state of landfill gas to energy in the Republic of South Africa

Mbazima

Masekameni

Mmereki

2022

Energy Exploration & Exploitation

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Landfill gas to energy (LFGE) projects were implemented in the Republic of South Africa (RSA) to diversify the energy mix and transition to a green economy. This study provides an overview of the status of LFGE in RSA and identifies major factors that inhibit the adoption and utilization of this technology, using existing data from 2010–2020 from electronic databases, namely, ScienceDirect, Taylor & Francis, Google Scholar, Sage Open, Springer Link, Sabinet, and IEEE Xplore, and using a combination of keywords and Boolean functions. This study revealed that, although RSA has made significant progress in the adoption and utilization of landfill gas (LFG) through the seventeen (17) planned LFGE projects, only six (6) are operational and generate 15 MW of electricity supplied to the local grid in the KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, and Gauteng Province. The waste-to-energy (WtE) sources such as LFGE are not given priority, and the country continues to invest in coal-fired power stations, owing to the abundance, availability, and low cost of coal reserves, which will supply coal for the next 200 years. The study identified factors inhibiting LGFE projects in RSA, which included the lack of sanitary landfill sites, LFG monitoring, funding, skills, research, and development. Potential LFGE in RSA is evident, however, except for limited processing facilities, economic investment, and public awareness. Suggestions for further research on the techno-economic and policy assessments are provided in the study. This study contributes to synthesizing evidence of the status of LFGE, insights on state-of-the-art technologies of WtE and the associated challenges in the waste management sector, identifying the potential for LFGE, and LFGE in the circular economy, and building a foundation for future research on WtE such as LFGE. Moreover, it also offers a reference for policymakers, decision-makers, researchers in the waste management sector on the technologies of WtE, LFGE, and potential to reduce waste generated.

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Section: Status Of the Landfill To Energy Projects In The Rsamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Waste-to-energy Routes In the Republic Of South Africamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Waste-to-energy Routes In the Republic Of South Africamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Benefits Of Landfill Gas To Energymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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