Estimation of Energy Recovery and Reduction of CO₂ Emissions by Advanced Power Generation from Municipal Solid Waste

Abstract

Using the heat from waste incineration to generate electricity requires the addition of generating equipment, and the manufacture, construction, and operation of this equipment also uses energy. In this study, we examined the life cycle energy balance in relation to repowering, which is meant to increase MSW generating efficiency, as well as reburning, which is aimed at limiting both NOx and dioxin emissions. We found that these are effective methods for energy recovery, and that gas turbines combined with waste incinerators for repowering had the optimum size to improve overall efficiency.