Waste-to-Energy: An Opportunity to Increase Renewable Energy Share and Reduce Ecological Footprint in Small Island Developing States (SIDS)

Abstract

Small Island Developing States (SIDSs) are faced with challenges such as reducing the share of fossil energy and waste landfilling. This work summarizes the main aspects of 53 SIDSs that constrain economic development, energy sources, and waste management strategies. An integrative bibliographical review is conducted to synthesize the state-of-the-art of waste-to-energy (WtE) strategies and compare the technologies in light of their suitability to SIDS. The findings show that considering the large amount of waste produced annually, WtE technologies are of the utmost importance to reduce ecological footprints (EFs) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and to increase the share of renewable energy with the installation of incineration plants with energy recovery to replace fossil fuel power plants. Although WtE is recommended for all SIDSs, the Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, and South China Sea (AIMS) countries exhibit higher population density (1509 inhab/km2) and a high share of fossil fuel in their electricity mix, so that there is greater urgency to replace landfilling practices with WtE. The estimation of potential power generation capacity (MWh) from annual municipal solid waste (MSW) in each SIDS as well as the reduced land area required demonstrate the feasibility of WtE technologies. Only 3% of the landfill area is necessary for buildings and landscaping associated with a WtE plant able to treat 1 million tons of MSW, considering a 30 year lifespan. Furthermore, incineration with energy recovery benefits from high penetration worldwide and affordable cost among thermochemical processes.

A Comparative Analysis of the Criteria for Choosing Sustainable Materials for Façades in Turkey and the European Union

“…One of the primary contributors to energy consumption is the construction industry. This sector utilizes mostly non-renewable resources and generates significant waste [2]. For instance, in the EU, this construction industry consumes 40% of total energy, accounting for 36% of CO 2 emissions [3].…”

Disaster-risk, climate change challenges and strategies in small islands in Bird’s Head Papua

“…Several interconnected studies were conducted on small islands located off the coast of Papua, including Fiji, Vanuatu, and Solomon Islands, as well as various islands that are part of SIDS (Small Islands Developing States). The issues discussed relate to the way forward for small island communities to adapt their way of life to a future environment affected by climate change [11,12]; changes in forest and land use [13,14]; causes of changes in future ecosystems, biodiversity, and maximum fishing potential [15,16]; renewable energy [17,18]; sea level rise [19,20]; integrated policy integration for the sustainability of small islands: a landscape scale planning approach [21,22]; small islands that depend on tourism, inclusive growth, and the blue economy [23,24]; local ecological knowledge of indigenous communities regarding climate change adaptation [25,26]; vulnerability of coastal communities' livelihoods [27,28]; downscaling climate models [29,30]; waste management [31,32]; social and cultural [33,34]; climate vulnerability assessment [35,36]; and adaptive capacity [37,38].…”

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“…This hunger for energy demand exacerbates the following effects on the current utilization of fossil fuels: "global climate change; world energy conflicts; and energy source shortages" [21]. WtE weaves through these concerns as it is not solely about waste management but also contributes to energy supply security with its enticing potential of harnessing renewable energy resources from waste [22], such as biomass resources [23,24]. With this, the concerns associated with fossil fuels are resolved by a green and sustainable alternative in the form of WtE.…”