Go Green
Turning Waste to Energy
Of all the alternative energy resources being considered of late, the WtE or EfW concept, which stands for Waste-to-Energy or Energy-from-Waste, is perhaps the one possible alternative energy source that best reflects what needs to be done in the world right now.
Turning Waste to Energy
Of all the alternative energy resources being considered of late, the WtE or EfW concept, which stands for Waste-to-Energy or Energy-from-Waste, is perhaps the one possible alternative energy source that best reflects what needs to be done in the world right now. Most energy sources, though renewable, are dependent on other factors for renewal, and thus, even if they can be used for now, their long-term benefits are not that promising. And as people are being encouraged to recycle more, it is only expected that an energy source from recycled matter be considered. After all, if there’s one thing on Earth that will always get renewed, it’s waste.
And that’s where the Waste-to-Energy concept comes in. This process is one where energy is created from waste materials, which are usually overflowing with valuable but untapped nutrients and elements that can be used for better purposes than being laid to waste in a landfill. The energy generated from this alternative source comes in the form of heat or electricity.
Various WtE processes are now being implemented in various parts of the world; the processes are mostly done in special WtE plants. More and more researchers are also delving deeper to find more technologies to generate energy even from significantly large amounts and from varied forms of waste.
One of the most commonly used processes is incineration, which is also called thermochemical, where the waste material is incinerated in order to generate electricity from it. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development or OECD, however, is guarding the process’ emission levels. Another process is called biochemical, which is more advisable for organic biodegradable and for moist waste materials. Lastly, there’s physico-chemical conversion, which changes the physical and chemical structure of waste material and converts it into fuel pellets. Fuel pellets are better options than coal and wood as energy generators because they are cleaner, environment-friendly, effective, and affordable.
Though the concept sounds easy, there are a lot of things involved in the convertion of waste to energy. Before waste is converted, it should be evaluated based on a certain criteria including its size, moisture levels, density, fixed carbon content, total inerts, and calorific value.
WtE processes also work both ways. Aside from offering a plausible source of alternative energy, Waste-to-Energy processes will also help reduce the volume of waste piling up in disposal areas all over the world.
But the biggest advantage of the concept of Waste-to-Energy conversion is that, as stated in recent studies, it helps reduce the level of greenhouse gases that make their way to the atmosphere. This means that not only will it help us get energy from a good, renewable, and practically unlimited source; Waste-to-Energy also helps solve the core problem of greenhouse gases. Now, the concept has made its way to Europe and Asia, aside from its prominence in the United States. It seems that our waste won’t go to complete waste after all.
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