Investigating the Energy Potential from Co-firing Coal with Municipal Solid Waste

With the increasing population and economic development of Mauritius, the demand of electricity increases each year. This has brought a significant rise in the consumption level of fossil fuels to meet these demands. Currently, the increasing prices of fossil fuels on the international market are having severe repercussion on the economy of the country.There are around 444, 570 tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) generated per year in Mauritius and this amount is giving rise to disposal problem. One of the disposal options could be the generation of electricity through combustion of the waste. At the same time, there are several coal power plant in the country that generate both heat and power. This study was, therefore, initiated to investigate the effect of co-firing MSW and coal. Proximate and ultimate analyses were conducted on both MSW and coal. The optimum blending ratio of MSW and coal was found to be 80 % MSW and 20 % coal by mass that is 1119 tons per day of MSW. The electrical output from the mixture of MSW and coal was 51 MW out of which 29.7 MW was generated from MSW only which represent around 58 % of the total produced power of the plant. Total cost saving from this co-firing project is estimated at 456 million Mauritian Rupees (MUR). The MSW has a lower heating value, however, it was seen that pollutant emission was reduced in the co-firing process. Gaseous pollutant emissions like CO2 was reduced significantly at this blending ratio compared to firing coal solely. Greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions were reduced on two counts: firstly reducing combustion of coal and secondly avoiding methane emission at the landfill site, which is equivalent to around 1.92 million Metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually.The findings from this study showed that MSW could be a good renewable fuel for co-firing with coal combustion. It reduces both the amount of land allocated annually for landfilling and the dependence on fossil fuels.Keywords: co-firing, municipal solid waste, coal, GHG reductio

Supplementary information files for " Valorising wood ash as an effective green alternative pulping agent for achieving a high yield of banana micro-lignocellulose fibres of enhanced crystallinity"

Supplementary information files for article " Valorising wood ash as an effective green alternative pulping agent for achieving a high yield of banana micro-lignocellulose fibres of enhanced crystallinity"This study aims to explore the use of wood ash, a common waste, as an alternative and eco-friendly pulping agent. The first and most important singularity of the study is that wood ash solution, though mild in nature, has proven to be an effective pulping agent (in comparison with the common pulping solution, sodium hydroxide): comparable lignin (45%) and hemicellulose (50%) removal, high crystallinity (72–77%) and high pulp yield (70%) were obtained. Another particularity of this study is that the reported advanced aspects of pulped banana fibres, notably the chemical functionality, crystallinity and crystallite size have been correlated with the chemical composition of the wood ash used: calcium pectinate was formed on the pulped fibre surface. It apparently played a role in enhancing the fibre crystallinity. Moreover, another specialness of this study is that non-conventional factors, which would have significant bearing during industrial scale processing, such as liquor ratio, fibre input size and duration have been investigated—the latter has shown that to attain maximum delignification, small fibre input size at a high liquor ratio of 40 for an extended period of 2 h are necessary. Finally, the pulped banana fibres (which were intended to be used for membrane fabrication for use in water purification system) have depicted their applicability in the fabrication of ultrafiltration membranes by virtue of their aspect ratio, semi-hydrophilicity (due to presence of residual lignin) and projected high mechanical strength (due to high crystallinity and low crystallite size). Graphical Abstract: Graphical abstract showing outcomes when pulping with wood ash solution.© The Authors, CC BY4.0</p

Environmental and economic study for a prospective ethanol industry in Fiji

The study was performed to study the effect of producing ethanol from molasses or sugarcane juice to blend with gasoline and produce E10 fuel for the Fijian car fleet. Two cases were developed to assess the economic and environmental impacts of producing ethanol from these feedstocks and blending with imported motor spirit. It was found to offer many benefits such as Fiji can earn approximately FJ$ 7.2 million and save 22,730 tCO2 emissions annually with providing employment to many. The continuous increase in the importation of motor spirit demands the biofuel policy to be reviewed to encourage (E10) blending locally. Conversion of sugarcane juice to ethanol directly could sustain the current income generated from sugar and molasses exported. This sounds to be future solution to sustain the industry after the end of EU sugar quota and if the sugar price offered thereafter are not profitable

Comparison of energy systems in Small Island Developing States

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have been amongst the most neglected group with regard to energy access until recently when several voices were raised to highlight the vulnerabilities of these small nations. Since then, their levels of energy access have become the focus of significant attention. These levels vary over a wide range, where some SIDS still have a low energy access although they may have the resources. The energy mix for electricity production is mostly dominated by fossil fuels where the transportation cost results in high cost of fossil fuels and this leads to a high cost of electricity

Energy access in Small Island Developing States: Status, barriers and policy measures

The lack of access to modern energy services, sometimes also referred to as energy poverty, is a significant global development challenge. This paper provides an analysis of energy access in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), sheds light on current challenges and provides insights on opportunities to improve access to modern energy services in these countries. It provides an overview of energy access levels within the African, Caribbean and Pacific SIDS regions to refocus attention on their frail economies and dependence on imported fossil fuels. The focus here is on three specific factors that are still not well investigated: issues which relate to grid-extension, the lack of trained personnel for decentralised electrification and a high reliance on imported energy which drains Gross Domestic Product (GDP). A selection of SIDS case studies highlighting endeavours to expand energy access provide a basis on which key measures to expand electrification are suggested. Enabling conditions identified included a high level of commitment from the government and the setting up of an independent regulatory body with rulemaking and adjudicative powers. Additionally, the setting up of a cost-reflective tariff structure and appropriate fiscal framework are highlighted which can contribute towards electricity access expansion in island context

Dimensions of energy security in Small Island Developing States

For Small Island Developing States (SIDS) that import oil, energy security is very important and dealt with seriously. This paper attempts to fill a gap in the literature by identifying the dimensions that shape a secure and sustainable supply of energy in SIDS. Seven dimensions were identified and incorporated into a framework for conceptualising and assessing SIDS energy security which are: import dependency; energy prices; climate change and resilience; governance; infrastructure; equity; and energy efficiency. This study also recommends selected strategies and actions to improve energy security in SIDS

Influences of climate change on tourism development in small pacific island states

Tourism-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are a central driver of anthropogenic climate change. At the same time, climate change has both direct and indirect impacts on tourism, varying from damages of tourist assets due to extreme weather events, to losses of biodiversity. Small island developing states (SIDS) heavily depend on international tourism as a source of revenue and income. Therefore, much could be gained by assessing the vulnerability of the SIDS tourism sector and by identifying measures that may assist these islands in their sustainable adaptation efforts. Against this background, this interdisciplinary paper provides a review of tourism development and the implications of its emissions on the global climate, linked with observed and projected influences of climate change in the Pacific region, to explain the growing vulnerability of the overall sector, with a particular focus on SIDS tourism. A description of the effects of COVID-19 on international tourism and its consequences for SIDS complement the analysis. Case studies of two Pacific islands present some evidence of current climate impacts, underscoring the multiple risks small island nations and their tourism sectors face. The paper concludes by stating that some measures may be prioritized by decision-makers, so as to increase the resilience of a transforming tourism sector in SIDS

Realising the Potential of Renewable Energy as a Tool for Energy Security in Small Island Developing States

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are heavily dependent on the use of imported fossil fuels to address their energy needs. This has a negative impact on the environment, SIDS budgets, and energy security. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the role of renewable energy (RE) as a tool for energy security in SIDS. In this regard, using VOSviewer, a widely known software tool, two bibliometric analyses were performed with a focus on the literature that explores two intertwined issues: (i) the links between RE and energy security; and (ii) the implications of RE and energy security in SIDS. The results from the study show that RE can help SIDS enhance their energy security and assure long-term energy sustainability. In addition, the results show that with the reduction in the cost of batteries in the future, they will eventually replace diesel generators. Moreover, the study showed that renewable energy may assist SIDS in their long-term efforts to achieve food security. The analysis discusses the major obstacles and the potential solutions for the integration of RES into the energy generation of SIDS. The paper concludes with useful recommendations to help island nations reduce their carbon footprint

Energy access and security strategies in Small Island Developing States

© 2016 Elsevier Ltd Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) are isolated and surrounded by ocean. The generation and use of energy resources are two very important aspects for the development of SIDS. Unfortunately, most of SIDS do not use their potential in respect of energy resources, and they as a result have to depend on the import of fossil fuels in order to meet their energy needs. This increases the overall vulnerability of SIDS as they have to depend on the rising or fluctuating fossil fuels prices. Some SIDS, especially in the geographically dispersed Pacific region, do not have proper access to energy whereas other SIDS struggle more with energy security issue. At the same time, SIDS are most vulnerable to the impacts and effects of climate change, as they are among the ones to be most severely affected in case of natural calamities and sea-level rise. Drawing on experiences from Fiji and Mauritius, this paper explains core elements related to energy access and security in SIDS, contextualizes and discusses barriers and list some of the strategies that may be used to ensure access to and a continuous supply of energy in SIDS. A situational analysis of two SIDS outlines their current energy situation and compares their energy policies to globally accepted criteria for SIDS policies as well as with each other. It is claimed that the diverging energy performances of Fiji and Mauritius cannot be explained by policies differences. The reasons for the varying energy performances may therefore lie in the administrative and institutional mechanisms used by the two countries in implementing their energy policies. Finally, to enable SIDS to reduce their overall vulnerability and become truly sustainable islands, it is recommended to undertake careful assessments of the particular local contexts under which island energy regimes operate