An analysis of the economic viability of waste-to-energy generation in the Kumasi metropolis of Ghana

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
De-Graft Owusu-Manu ◽  
E. Amo-Asamoah ◽  
Frank Ato Ghansah ◽  
George Asumadu
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Energy Generation ◽  
Waste To Energy ◽  
Energy Deficit ◽  
Economic Viability ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Unique Contribution ◽  
Content Type

Purpose Kumasi Metropolis, the second-largest city in Ghana is known to be bewildered with challenges relating to waste management. As a means of solving the waste management challenge, several suggestions are often made for the establishment of a waste-to-energy plant to manage the disposal of waste and generation of income. There have been no studies conducted to determine how economically viable such plants will be. This study aims to examine the economic viability of waste-to-energy generation in the Kumasi Metropolis to find out how economically viable such an approach will be. Design/methodology/approach To achieve this, a simple debt-equity ratio business model based on discounted cash flow technique was applied to estimate the internal rate of returns (IRR) as a measure of the economic viability and profitability of a modelled 50 MWH waste-energy generation plant in the Kumasi Metropolis. The analysis was performed using the RetScreen Expert Software. Findings The results show that the IRR and benefits cost ratio of the facility were 36% and 5.8%, respectively, indicating high levels of profitability and economic viability. The study concludes that waste-to-energy generation will be an economically viable venture in the Kumasi Metropolis. Practical implications It is, however, important for users of the findings of this study to take caution of the fact that the various assumptions although based on current knowledge and expert opinion may vary with time; therefore, the sensitive analysis on price and costs should always be considered. Practically, this study will contribute to solving the waste management situation in most cities, as well as generating revenue and helping close the energy deficit most developing countries are grabbling with. Originality/value The unique contribution of the study to knowledge is that it has professed an alternative analytical and methodological approach to measuring the financial viability of waste-to-energy plants in situations where there is none in the geographical jurisdiction of the proposed project.

scholarly journals Potential for waste to energy generation of municipal solid waste (MSW) in the Kumasi metropolis of Ghana

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 1315-1331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eugene Amo-Asamoah ◽  
De-Graft Owusu-Manu ◽  
George Asumadu ◽  
Frank Ato Ghansah ◽  
David John Edwards
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Municipal Solid Waste ◽  
Solid Waste ◽  
Energy Generation ◽  
Waste To Energy ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
Series Data ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Unique Contribution ◽  
Content Type

Purpose Globally, waste management has been a topical issue in the past few decades due to the continual increase in municipal solid waste (MSW) generation that is becoming difficult to handle with conventional waste management techniques. The situation is much more pronounced in economically developing countries where population growth rate and urbanisation are becoming uncontrollable. The purpose of this study was to assess the potential for waste to energy generation in the Kumasi metropolis, the second-largest city in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach To address the objectives of the study, a quantitative research approach, namely, the questionnaire was adopted. The data analysis was done using the statistical package for social sciences version 25, including both descriptive and inferential statistics to give an in-depth meaning to the responses from the participants. Findings The results showed that several factors hinder waste to energy technology in Ghana; key among them was high capital cost, high operational cost and lack of governmental support and policy framework. The results also revealed that 1 m3 of biogas generated from MSW in Kumasi could generate 36 MJ of energy, equivalent to 10 kW/h. Originality/value The unique contribution made by the paper is that it combines expert opinions, empirical data that included time series data and opinion of key actors in the waste management chain in assessing the potential for waste to energy generation in the Kumasi metropolis of Ghana.

Municipal waste management and electrical energy generation from solid waste: a mathematical programming approach

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaber Valizadeh ◽  
Peyman Mozafari ◽  
Ashkan Hafezalkotob
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Environmental Pollutants ◽  
Energy Generation ◽  
Municipal Waste ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Programming Approach ◽  
Waste Collection ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Objective Model

Purpose Waste production and related environmental problems have caused urban services management many problems in collecting, transporting and disposal of waste. The purpose of this study is to design a new model for municipal waste collection vehicle routing problems with time windows and energy generating from waste. To this purpose, a bi-objective model is presented with the objectives of increasing the income of waste recycles and energy generation from waste and reducing emissions from environmental pollutants. Design/methodology/approach A bi-objective model is presented with the objectives of increasing income of recycles trade and energy generation and reducing emissions from environmental pollutants. Concerning the complexity of the model and its inability to solve large-scale problems, non-dominated sorting genetic algorithms and multi-objective particle swarm optimization algorithms are applied. Findings In this research, an integrated approach to urban waste collection modeling that coordinates the various activities of waste management in the city of Kermanshah and energy generation from waste are provided. Besides, this study calculates the criteria that show the environmental effects of municipal waste. The proposed model helps to collect municipal wastes in the shortest possible time in addition to reducing the total cost, revenues from the sale of recycled materials and energy production. Originality/value The proposed model boosts the current understanding of the waste management and energy generation of waste. The paper adds additional value by unveiling some key future research directions. This guidance may demonstrate possible existing and unexplored gaps so that researchers can direct future research to develop new processes.

A novel mathematical model for municipal waste collection and energy generation: case study of Kermanshah city

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 1437-1453
Author(s):  
Jaber Valizadeh
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Environmental Pollutants ◽  
Energy Generation ◽  
Municipal Waste ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Waste Collection ◽  
Urban Waste ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Proposed Model

PurposeWaste production and related environmental problems have caused urban services management many problems in collecting, transporting and disposal of waste. Since collecting and transporting waste are important parts of waste management budget, it is necessary to apply an appropriate method to reduce costs of collection. The aim of this study is to design a new model for urban waste collection vehicle routing problem with time windows and energy generating from waste.Design/methodology/approachA multiobjective model is presented with the objectives of minimizing cost of waste collection, reducing emissions from environmental pollutants and increasing income of recycles trade and energy recovery. Concerning the complexity of the model and its inability to solve large-scale problems, hyperactive genetic algorithms and multiple objective particle swarm optimization are applied.FindingsThe proposed model not only affects costs and income but also reduces the emissions of environmental pollutants. To solve the formulated model, multitarget approaches are applied on the processing site of Kermanshah city as a case study. The solutions of these algorithms and the exact method of partial constraints are compared and the outcomes are verified by numerical analysis by solving various examples in small, medium and large scales. The proposed model helps to collect urban wastes in the shortest possible time in addition to reducing the total cost, revenues from the sale of recycled materials and energy generation.Research limitations/implicationsWaste collection is related to VRP issue. Considering the environmental requirements in waste management, the concept of green supply chain is approached. This study provides a better understanding of urban waste management by examining various articles and combining economic and environmental dimensions. Waste management with a green approach and energy production from disposable waste involves many common stakeholders.Practical implicationsThis study suggests that proper waste management can generate revenue from municipal waste. Moreover, it reduces cost of collecting and emission of environmental pollutants. These findings could motivate companies to waste management with a sustainable approach.Originality/valueThe proposed model boosts the current understanding of the waste management and energy generation of waste. The paper adds additional values by unveiling some key future research directions. This guidance may demonstrate possible existing and unexplored gaps so that researchers can direct future research to develop new processes.

A multi-criteria assessment of alternative sustainable solid waste management of flexible packaging

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 201-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Somying Pongpimol ◽  
Yuosre F. Badir ◽  
Bohez L.J. Erik ◽  
Vatcharapol Sukhotu
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Solid Waste ◽  
Solid Waste Management ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Waste To Energy ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Packaging Waste ◽  
Flexible Packaging

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the issues affecting end of life (EOL) management of flexible packaging. It focuses on Sustainable Solid Waste Management by using multi-criteria decision making, analytic network process (ANP), and Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT). Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 33 expert stakeholders, though a series of interviews and questionnaires. The subject seven aspects were applied from integrated sustainable waste management with 19 sub-criteria identified. Criteria were prioritized by using ANP and SWOT to the internal and external environments of organizations directly responsible for waste management. Findings The five most important factors in the management of flexible packaging waste include: techniques for waste management, material and design, management support, legislation and rule, and environmental care and environmental health, respectively. Solutions addressing flexible packaging waste were identified, including reuse and recycle, waste to energy, biopolymers, new innovative materials and material recovery. Research limitations/implications Data were derived from the national authorities and large companies. The findings may not represent local authorities and small-scale manufacturers. Future research should be conducted, in order to investigate and focus around small manufacturing enterprises. Practical implications The findings provide a strategic framework for policy makers and industrial manufacturers. The benefits of this will enable them to address flexible packaging waste, by using qualitative and quantitative criteria. Originality/value This is the first paper developing a multi-criteria assessment model to specifically manage EOL flexible packaging, a possible pioneering piece of research in this field.

scholarly journals The Diva storyline: an alternative social construction of female entrepreneurship

2009 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 148-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Smith
Keyword(s):  
Social Construction ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Unique Contribution ◽  
Female Entrepreneurs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Socially Constructed ◽  
The Social ◽  
Successful Women ◽  
Heuristic Device ◽  
Rich Data

PurposeMany “Divas” despite possessing destructive character traits ironically become successful entrepreneurs thus illustrating an alternative “storied” social construction of entrepreneurship. This influences how female entrepreneurs are perceived in the popular press and can be manipulated as an alternative entrepreneurial reality. The purpose of this paper is to build upon research into entrepreneurial identity introducing the “Diva” concept.Design/methodology/approachThe qualitative methodological approach involves an analysis of biographies of famous Diva's to identify common themes; and an internet trawl to identify supplementary micro‐biographies and newspaper articles on “Divas”. This tripartite approach allows rich data to be collected permitting a comparative analysis.FindingsThis empirical paper presents the socially constructed nature of entrepreneurial narrative and the “Diva storyline” demonstrating the influence of journalistic licence upon how successful women are portrayed. The paper adds incremental credence to power of male‐dominated journalistic practices to vilify enterprising behaviour to sell newspapers.Research limitations/implicationsAn obvious limitation to the work is that the sample of articles and biographies selected were chosen via search parameters which mention the word “Diva”. Nevertheless, there is scope for further “more detailed” research into the phenomenon to flesh out the model built in this preliminary paper.Practical implicationsAn important implication for scholars and journalists is the need to reconsider how we tell and decode entrepreneur stories. As researchers, we need to recognise that there are other avenues for women to become entrepreneurs than to become businesswomen and that it is alright for women to reject the “entrepreneur” label.Originality/valueThis paper informs our understanding of the socially constructed nature of how we tell, understand and appreciate entrepreneur stories. It thus makes a unique contribution by illustrating that the storylines which constitute the “Diva cycle” are constructed from the same storylines that we associate with entrepreneur stories but narrated in a different order. It provides another heuristic device for understanding the social construction of gendered entrepreneurial identities making it of interest to feminist scholars of entrepreneurship and to social constructionists alike.

scholarly journals A Methodological Approach to Assess the Potential of Non-Recycled Waste for Refuse Derived Fuels Material

2020 ◽  
Vol 202 ◽  
pp. 11003
Author(s):  
Moh Nurhadi ◽  
Eddy Prianto
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Calorific Value ◽  
Waste To Energy ◽  
Waste Materials ◽  
Recycling Rate ◽  
Waste Processing ◽  
Waste Composition ◽  
Refuse Derived Fuels ◽  
Recycled Waste

Modernization of waste processing through Waste-to-Energy has been a new trend to solve waste management and energy scarcity. This model however it may raise a conflict with recycling activities. This article establishes a methodological approach to assess Non-Recycled Waste for Refuse Derived Fuels materials. The approach is simulated by using calorific value of waste from Semarang Landfill which has calorific value 5,500 to 6,070 kcal/kg and waste composition of Banjarmasin Landfill which has been classified according to recycling perspective. The simulation shows that a low recycling rate (25% plastic and paper taken for recycling) will produce 3,882 kcal/Kg while a high recycling rate (50%) will produce 3,793 kcal/Kg. This simulation successfully calculates that non-recycled waste materials are still potential for RDFs materials.

WTE plants installed in European cities: a review of success stories

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 606-620 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paraskevi Chaliki ◽  
Constantinos S. Psomopoulos ◽  
Nickolas J. Themelis
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Urban Environment ◽  
Statistical Data ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Waste To Energy ◽  
Sustainable Cities ◽  
Heating Value ◽  
Content Type ◽  
European Cities ◽  
Success Stories

Purpose – Waste is a resource. Generating energy from waste instead of sending it to landfill avoids methane gas which equals 25 times CO2 in mass. In combination with the energy efficiency thresholds set in Waste Framework Directive, this could prevent up to a further 45 million tons of CO2 eq. per year. The purpose of this paper is to present the waste-to-energy (WTE) plants installed in ten European cities which have been selected among the most sustainable cities or among the best cities to live in. Design/methodology/approach – The work is based on literature review and a combination of several statistical data and reports that include the required data. Findings – The European Directives, along with the general thinking that wastes are resources and the effort to reduce the environmental impact in urban environment from waste management, were the driving forces. The most sustainable cities in EU considered that their sustainability is based also in energy recovery from wastes. All of them are using WTE facilities to treat a significant part of their waste in order to produce energy in the form of heat and electricity. And they do it in a very successful and environmental friendly way, as they mainly utilize the waste fractions that cannot be recycled or reused, and they do not landfill these resources. This approach is proving that the sustainable waste management cannot be achieved without WTE facilities, since a fraction of wastes consists of non-recyclable and non-reusable materials, which present significant heating value that cannot be neglected as an energy source. Originality/value – This paper presents the WTE plants installed in ten European cities which have been selected among the most sustainable cities or among the best cities to live in. This work aims to present the strong and successful relation between WTE and sustainability in the modern complex urban environment.

An assessment of economic viability of jatropha plantation in North East India

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 935-959
Author(s):  
Kishor Goswami ◽  
Hari K. Choudhury ◽  
Atanu Hazarika ◽  
Rohit Tripathi
Keyword(s):  
Discount Rate ◽  
Social Cost ◽  
Net Present Value ◽  
Energy Crop ◽  
Economic Viability ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Content Type ◽  
North East India ◽  
North East ◽  
Plantation Crops

Purpose This paper aims to analyze the economic viability of jatropha plantation in North East India. Design/methodology/approach Economic viability is measured through the net present value and the benefit–cost ratio (BCR) at four different production standards along with four different prices of jatropha seed. Findings At a very low price and small production, jatropha plantation is economically not feasible. However, when the price of seed increases from INR 5 to 8, BCRs become greater than 1, provided that the discount rate is less than equal to 8 per cent. The minimum threshold of BCR indicates that the threshold of 1.5 BCR at a production level of 1.5 tons/ha can be achieved with a combination of seed price of INR 10 per kg and a discount rate of 1 to 3 per cent. Thus, jatropha cultivation is economically viable but not highly profitable. Research limitations/implications Present study analyzes the economic viability of jatropha plantation from purely financial point of view. Social cost and benefit of energy crop plantation is not included in the study. This suggests to adopt social cost–benefit analysis to evaluate the overall feasibility of plantation crops in future studies. Originality/value This paper contributes to the academic literature of economic viability of energy plantation crops. Economic viability of jatropha plantation is shown in different cost and revenue conditions with statistical evidences.

A Review : Sustainability from Waste

2019 ◽  
pp. 134-155
Author(s):  
Kriti Jain ◽  
Chirag Shah
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Solid Waste ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Waste To Energy ◽  
Waste Generation ◽  
Material Resources ◽  
Waste Dumps ◽  
Waste Segregation ◽  
Treatment And Disposal ◽  
Engineered Landfill

The increasing volume and complexity of waste associated with the modern economy as due to the ranging population, is posing a serious risk to ecosystems and human health. Every year, an estimated 11.2 billion tonnes of solid waste is collected worldwide and decay of the organic proportion of solid waste is contributing about 5 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions (UNEP). Poor waste management - ranging from non-existing collection systems to ineffective disposal causes air pollution, water and soil contamination. Open and unsanitary landfills contribute to contamination of drinking water and can cause infection and transmit diseases. The dispersal of debris pollutes ecosystems and dangerous substances from waste or garbage puts a strain on the health of urban dwellers and the environment. India, being second most populated country of the world that too with the lesser land area comparatively, faces major environmental challenges associated with waste generation and inadequate waste collection, transport, treatment and disposal. Population explosion, coupled with improved life style of people, results in increased generation of solid wastes in urban as well as rural areas of the country. The challenges and barriers are significant, but so are the opportunities. A priority is to move from reliance on waste dumps that offer no environmental protection, to waste management systems that retain useful resources within the economy [2]. Waste segregation at source and use of specialized waste processing facilities to separate recyclable materials has a key role. Disposal of residual waste after extraction of material resources needs engineered landfill sites and/or investment in waste-to-energy facilities. This study focusses on the minimization of the waste and gives the brief about the various initiations for proper waste management system. Hence moving towards the alternatives is the way to deal with these basic problems. This paper outlines various advances in the area of waste management. It focuses on current practices related to waste management initiatives taken by India. The purpose of this article put a light on various initiatives in the country and locates the scope for improvement in the management of waste which will also clean up the unemployment.

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