Author: CharithBangaloreRavishankar

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The world’s Largest Waste to Energy Plant.

Largest Waste-To-Energy Plant in the world.

Waste to Energy Plant

The waste-to-energy plant is a waste management facility that combusts waste to produce electricity. They form an essential part of a sustainable waste management chain. Generates valuable and sustainable electricity and heat, of which 50% is recognized as renewable, and the other 50% is derived from recovered energy sources that would be lost otherwise. It also helps in reducing the carbon footprint of human activities through reduced methane emissions from landfill, it offsets the use of fossil fuels for energy production and the recovery of materials.

hence it provides a meaningful outcome for wastes. Some of the benefits of this plant are:

  • Fully complementary to recycling by recovering energy from unrecyclable waste.
  • Recovers significant amounts of ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
  • Removes toxic substances from the eco-cycle.
  • Allows up to 95% landfill diversion rate.

Waste Management in China

China is the world’s largest Solid waste generator, producing as much as 175 million tons of waste every year. For a developing country like china it is not easy to manage its entire waste and convert it into energy. There exist many challenges such as insufficient or elusive data, poor infrastructure, informal waste collection systems, the lack of laws and regulations, lack of economic incentives and the high costs associated with biomass technologies. Hence china should focus on its policy reformation to eliminate the unsustainable management of waste and underutilization of its potential energy which can only be possible by adopting integrated solid waste management strategies. Nevertheless, China has started to realize the importance of  IWMS and with help of the government they have been working towards building the world’s largest waste to energy plant in the country.

Sustainable energy

With continuous economic growth in China and throughout Asia, there is a growing demand for reliable, sustainable and clean renewable energy. To help meet this demand, China has planned to build the largest Waste to the Energy treatment plant in the world in Shenzhen East. For this plant, B&W Vølund will supply equipment that includes a DynaGrate combustion grate system, hydraulics, burners, and other boiler components.  The plant is expected to be an important showcase of the most advanced technology for environmentally friendly energy production in China. The plant is designed by Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects and Gottlieb Paludan Architects will take a distinctive circular form, so as to minimize the plant’s footprint and reduce the amount of excavation required during construction. Built with sustainability in mind, it will incorporate rooftop solar panels, a visitor education center and an observation platform into its architectural design. When operational, it will incinerate about 5600 tons of trash per day out of 15,000 tons to generate 550 million kWh of electricity every year. It will also generate renewable energy using 44,000 m2 of solar panels incorporated on the rooftop and It will be the first plant in China to use B&W Vølund’s DynaGrate technology.

DynaGrate technology

Unlike other types of grates, there is no physical contact between moving grate components. This unique design limits wear and minimize the mechanical forces internally in the grate. The mechanical design of the DynaGrate system is developed to increase plant availability and lower operation and maintenance costs. With this grate, plant operation is not interrupted by melting metals. The mechanical break-up of the waste layer on the grate results in thorough agitation and thereby superior combustion conditions resulting in very low total organic carbon (TOC) values in the bottom ash. Also, it is designed to minimize the maintenance cost.

References

Fernandez, M. (2018, August 3). Retrieved from BioEnergy Consult: https://www.bioenergyconsult.com/waste-to-energy-china/

Schmidt Hammer Lassen. (2016). Retrieved from SHL website: http://www.shl.dk/shenzhen-east-waste-to-energy-plant/

Zhang, D. l. (2015). Waste-to-Energy in China: Key Challenges and Opportunities. Energies, 14182-14196.

 

 

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How Bhutan Became The Only Carbon Negative Country In The World

Bhutan: The Only Carbon Negative Country

Bhutan, a small country that lies deep within the Himalayas between India and China, is often overlooked by the international community because of its low global GDP and political impact. It has a small population of about 750,000 and but a vast forest region. Despite economic challenges, Bhutan has put up a great effort to mitigate the climate change and become the only carbon negative country in the world with per capita emissions of just 0.8 annual metric tons and have kept their promise made at the 2009 Copenhagen climate conference to go carbon neutral. Even though the forest reserves act as mega carbon sinks and the rivers provide the country an emission-free power source but it’s the commitment of the people towards the environment which is helping them to achieve beyond their strength.

Gross National Happiness

Bhutan refuses to judge their success on GDP, instead believes that their national progress is well defined through the index Gross National Happiness. This index measures the prosperity by giving equal importance to non-economic aspects of well being instead of just focusing solely on economic indicators. In 2015, based on a survey it was estimated that 91% of its citizens are narrow, extensively or deeply happy. Hence Bhutan gives utmost importance to the forestry and its constitution requires forest to be maintained above 60% of its original cover. In 2015 they created a world record by planting nearly 50,000 trees in one hour.  The country is also increasing its share of renewables, by exploring wind, biogas and solar. Also, the country is working hard through ‘Green Bhutan’ and ‘Clean Bhutan’ campaign to enhance their GNH index.

Agriculture

More than half of the population are involved in agriculture and forestry department and it is aiming to develop organic agriculture by 2020 and zero-waste agriculture by 2030. Developing these practices is Bhutan is relatively easier because of already existing practices of using fewer agrochemicals and more of natural fertilizers. To reach their goals it is offering many free training sessions to farmers on organic farming practices, encouraging low waste farming and use of compost.

Hydro-Power

Along with a vast forest region, Bhutan is also blessed with glaciers and rivers. Hydropower is the country’s major source for renewable energy and wealth. Bhutan has the potential to develop 30,000 MW of power out of which only 5% is utilized.  The government plans to develop 10,000 MW of power by 2020 and export 80% of it to India.

Transportation

Although the emissions from industrial and transport sector are very low in Bhutan, currently it is seeing an increasing trend. Hence, instead of just relying on the forest for sequestration of carbons the country is adopting many measures such as:

  • Raising the vehicle and fuel price to lower the number of vehicles on the road.
  • Applying tax waivers to eco-friendly and fuel-efficient buses and taxis.
  • Encouraging the use of private electrical vehicles.
  • Providing electric trains in the cities.
  • Improving pedestrians’ facilities such as cycling and walking ways.

Climate Change

Even though the country is working very hard in preventing CO2 emissions, but unfortunately it is still one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change. These climate change impacts can potentially derail Bhutan from the path of sustainable development. Some of the key resources, like agricultural and forest lands, mountains are also very vulnerable to threats causing flash floods, windstorms, forest fires etc., Its regenerative water supply which is pivotal to the country’s economy is also under threat of global warming. But sadly, they have done nothing to be affected like this. Hence it is the responsibility of every country to fight against the climate change so that the countries like Bhutan won’t have to pay for it.

References

Arvid Kiran. (2018, July 12). Retrieved from India Today: https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/bhutan-worlds-only-carbon-negative-country-1261119-2018-07-12

Mark Tutton. (2018, October 11). CNN. Retrieved from CNN Website: https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/11/asia/bhutan-carbon-negative/index.html

Mellino, C. (2016, March 19). Eco Watch. Retrieved from Eco Watch Website: https://www.ecowatch.com/this-country-isnt-just-carbon-neutral-its-carbon-negative-1882195367.html

Munawar, S. (2016, July). Bhutan Improves Economic Development as a Net Carbon Sink.

 

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