Unit 8: Waste-to-Energy Policies and Regulations
Expert-defined terms from the Professional Certificate in Waste-to-Energy Conversion course at London School of Business and Administration. Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.
Anaerobic Digestion #
A process of breaking down organic materials in the absence of oxygen, resulting in the production of biogas (a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide) and digestate (a nutrient-rich fertilizer). This technology is commonly used in waste-to-energy systems to treat organic waste, like food waste and sewage sludge.
Biomass #
Organic matter, such as plant and animal waste, that can be converted into fuel or energy through various processes, including combustion, anaerobic digestion, or gasification. Biomass is a renewable energy source and a common feedstock in waste-to-energy systems.
Carbon Footprint #
The total amount of greenhouse gases produced to directly and indirectly support human activities, usually expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). Waste-to-energy systems can help reduce carbon footprints by displacing fossil fuel-based energy sources and recovering energy from waste materials.
Circular Economy #
An economic system aimed at eliminating waste and the continual use of resources. In a circular economy, waste products from one process become inputs for another, creating a closed-loop system. Waste-to-energy systems contribute to the circular economy by recovering energy and valuable materials from waste.
Combustion #
A chemical reaction between a fuel and an oxidizer (usually oxygen) that releases heat and light. In waste-to-energy systems, municipal solid waste (MSW) or specific fractions of it are combusted to generate heat, which is then converted into electricity.
Emission Standards #
Regulations that set limits on the allowable amounts of specific pollutants that can be released into the environment by industrial processes, vehicles, or other sources. Waste-to-energy facilities must comply with emission standards to minimize their environmental impact.
Energy #
from-Waste (EfW): The process of generating energy (usually electricity and heat) from the combustion or conversion of waste materials. Also referred to as waste-to-energy, EfW is a waste management strategy that reduces the volume of waste in landfills and recovers valuable resources.
Feed #
in Tariffs (FiTs): Government-established incentive programs that offer long-term contracts and fixed prices for renewable energy producers, encouraging the development of clean energy projects, including waste-to-energy facilities.
Gasification #
A process that converts organic or fossil-based materials into synthetic gas (syngas), a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, through partial oxidation at high temperatures. Syngas can be used as a fuel for electricity generation, heating, or further processed to produce liquid fuels or chemicals.
Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) #
Gases in the Earth's atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, that trap heat and contribute to global warming and climate change. Waste-to-energy systems can help reduce GHG emissions by recovering energy from waste materials and displacing fossil fuel-based energy sources.
Landfill Gas #
A mixture of gases, primarily methane and carbon dioxide, produced by the anaerobic decomposition of organic waste in landfills. Landfill gas can be captured and used as a fuel in waste-to-energy systems, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and providing a renewable energy source.
Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) #
Household and commercial waste, including paper, plastic, metal, glass, textiles, and organic materials, that is collected by local governments for disposal or recycling. MSW is a common feedstock for waste-to-energy systems.
Organic Waste #
Biodegradable waste materials, such as food waste, yard waste, and sewage sludge, that can be broken down by microorganisms to produce biogas and fertilizer through processes like anaerobic digestion or composting.
Pyrolysis #
A thermal decomposition process that occurs in the absence of oxygen, breaking down organic materials into solid (char), liquid (bio-oil), and gaseous (syngas) products. Pyrolysis is used in waste-to-energy systems to convert biomass or waste into fuel or energy.
Renewable Energy #
Energy obtained from resources that are naturally replenished, such as solar, wind, hydro, biomass, and geothermal. Waste-to-energy systems contribute to the renewable energy portfolio by recovering energy from waste materials.
Recycling #
The process of converting waste materials into new products, reducing the need for raw materials and the amount of waste sent to landfills. Recycling is a key component of integrated waste management strategies, often used in conjunction with waste-to-energy systems.
Refuse #
Derived Fuel (RDF): A fuel derived from processed municipal solid waste, consisting mainly of combustible components like paper, plastic, and textiles. RDF is used as a fuel in waste-to-energy systems, providing a more homogeneous and calorific feedstock than unprocessed MSW.
Sewage Sludge #
The solid, semisolid, or liquid residual material resulting from the treatment of domestic sewage in a wastewater treatment plant. Sewage sludge can be treated in waste-to-energy systems through processes like anaerobic digestion or incineration, recovering energy and reducing the volume of waste.
Waste Hierarchy #
A ranking of waste management options, prioritizing waste prevention, followed by reuse, recycling, recovery, and disposal. Waste-to-energy systems fit into the recovery category, focusing on energy and resource recovery from waste materials.
Waste Management #
The discipline concerned with the collection, transportation, processing, recycling, monitoring, and disposal of waste materials. Waste-to-energy systems are one aspect of integrated waste management strategies that aim to reduce waste, recover resources, and minimize environmental impact.
Waste #
to-Fuel: The conversion of waste materials into fuel products, such as syngas, bio-oil, or biocoal, through processes like pyrolysis or gasification. Waste-to-fuel technologies provide an alternative to traditional waste-to-energy systems, focusing on the production of liquid or gaseous fuels for various applications.
Waste #
to-Heat: The recovery of heat from waste materials, often through combustion or incineration, for use in district heating systems or industrial processes. Waste-to-heat systems provide an efficient means of utilizing the energy content of waste materials while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Waste #
to-Products: The conversion of waste materials into valuable products, such as chemicals, fertilizers, or construction materials, through various processes, including anaerobic digestion, pyrolysis, or mechanical separation. Waste-to-products technologies contribute to the circular economy by creating new value from waste streams.
Waste #
to-Water: The recovery of water from waste materials, often through advanced treatment processes like membrane filtration or reverse osmosis. Waste-to-water systems provide a sustainable source of clean water while reducing the demand for freshwater resources.
Waste #
to-Works: The reuse of waste materials as construction or building materials, reducing the need for virgin resources and providing a sustainable alternative to traditional materials. Waste-to-works technologies contribute to the circular economy by creating new value from waste streams.