Page 4 - Mag 0031 english

ENERGY FROM WASTE

Human activity generates a range of waste materials. Some of these can be reused or recycle, but there are always residues that have no
further value in their current form. Often, these residues can be exploited in a combustion plant to generate electrical power, or as a feedstock
that is used to make a liquid or gaseous fuel. Where this is possible, it provides both means of disposal an additional useful product.

As the issue of global warming has risen signi cantly, so the need to identify and exploit renewable and sustainable sources of non-fossil fuel
energy has become more important. Although the main emphasis of this is on technologies such as solar and wind energy, any potential
renewable energy source is of interest today. Municipal waste contains a large percentage of material that is biological in origin. Paper,
cardboard packaging, garden waste, and food residues as well as wood from building demolition or other sources is all biogenic and as such
may be considered renewable. The renewable content of waste varies. Since waste is a mixture of materials, some of which are derived from
fossil fuels, it is important to determine what fraction of waste is biogenic in origin and therefore might be considered renewable.

This will vary from place to place and will depend on the time of the year because waste varies with the seasons. A greater degree of
consistency can be obtained if waste is sorted so that much of the non-biogenic material is removed and mainly renewable material remains.
Waste that is %90 biogenic may be considered similar to biomass from a renewable fuel perspective.

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