WASTE TO WATT: AN OVERVIEW OF INDIA’S WASTE-TO-ENERGY INDUSTRY

Introduction

India produces a massive amount of waste which includes municipal solid waste, industrial waste, hazardous waste, and biological waste. The state of India's Environment 2023 report records MSW generation in India as 1,50,000 tonnes per day. This is roughly equivalent to 12% of the global MSW generation. The amount of waste produced in India is predicted to increase at a rate of 1-1.33% annually per person. India's appetite for electricity has increased dramatically, and to meet this need, the waste-to-energy sector, which uses industrial waste material to aid electricity generation, appears to be a fantastic opportunity.

How do Waste-to-energy projects work?

Waste-to-energy processes are being worked upon to harness the energy potential of the waste, wherein generally the garbage is converted into heat and electricity thereby providing renewable energy. MSW is burned to result in steam which powers electric generators. It is implemented by a variety of technologies that might entail chemical, biological, or thermal processes. Based on how the trash is converted into energy, waste-to-energy methods are classified into four categories: thermal solely, which includes incineration; thermo-chemical; mechanical & thermal; and biochemical. The most popular WtE technique is incineration, which is also one of the least desirable choices because of the high operating costs and emissions from incineration facilities. WtE plants also create employment by supporting the local economy and livelihoods. The technique also aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and promotes a circular economy by emphasizing minimal waste generation.

The Evolution of Waste-to-Energy in India

The Waste to Energy, or WtE, venture commenced in India a little over two decades ago. In Delhi's Timarpur, Okhla, Jindal ITF Urban Infrastructure Limited was among the first few businesses to establish a sizable WtE plant under a PPP model. Given that India has been using biomass power plants, the country is familiar with WtE technology. However, conventional methods of waste disposal in India involve the burning of waste (including food, industrial, and other hazardous waste), landfilling, and the use of unorganized waste pickers to gather rubbish. All these methods release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. India now has a greater number of waste-to-energy and incinerator plants.

Government Initiatives

Waste-to-energy processes are being worked upon to harness the energy potential of the waste, wherein generally the garbage is converted into heat and electricity thereby providing renewable energy. MSW is burned to result in steam which powers electric generators. It is implemented by a variety of technologies that might entail chemical, biological, or thermal processes. Based on how the trash is converted into energy, waste-to-energy methods are classified into four categories: thermal solely, which includes incineration; thermo-chemical; mechanical & thermal; and biochemical. The most popular WtE technique is incineration, which is also one of the least desirable choices because of the high operating costs and emissions from incineration facilities. WtE plants also create employment by supporting the local economy and livelihoods. The technique also aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and promotes a circular economy by emphasizing minimal waste generation (GERC), which has released a discussion paper to establish the general rate for waste-to-energy facilities in the state. According to a June 2023 article, the Delhi Metro is the nation's first project to use power produced by a waste-to-energy facility. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) announced that it has begun to receive 2 MW of power from a waste-to-energy facility located in Ghazipur, with a capacity of 12 MW.

Challenges in Implementation

Waste-to-energy plants appear like a straightforward answer, but they endure several obstacles to be overcome before they can be implemented. The first is that inadequate segregation has resulted in low calorific value of solid waste in India. Mixed Indian garbage has a calorific value of around 1,500 kcal/kg, making it unsuitable for power production. (The calorific value of coal is approximately 8,000 kcal/kg.) biodegradable waste should be composted since it has a high moisture content and cannot be utilized to generate electricity. The dried and separated non-recyclable dry trash has a substantially greater calorific value—between 2,800 and 3,000 kcal/kg—used produce electricity. To guarantee that the waste entering the facility has this calorific content, segregation should be simplified, preferably at the source if not at the processing plant.

The second is the high cost of producing energy. While the cost of purchasing energy from coal, hydroelectric, and solar power plants is around Rs 3–4 per unit, the cost of producing power from garbage is approximately Rs 7-8 per unit. The cost of the electricity produced must be lowered to half, even if state electricity boards are contemplating buying power from more recent renewable energy sources like waste-to-energy. Cities produce different amounts of waste depending on the season, amount of rainfall, and number of displaced people. Significantly, waste-to-energy projects are limited to using only non-recyclable dry trash (about 25% of total waste); moreover, they are intended to utilize only segregated non-recyclable dry waste, the only waste type with a high enough calorific value. However, it is often the case that these initiatives are expected to handle every kind of garbage produced in the city, which is detrimental to the projects themselves.

Solutions and Recommendations

The municipality must make sure that only dry, non-biodegradable garbage is transferred to the plant and handle the other types of waste separately to solve its numerous challenges. Importantly, considering the exorbitant cost of energy generation, the municipality, or the department in charge of SWM should be practical and include the State electrical department, maybe through a tripartite agreement involving the municipality, the plant operator, and the power distribution agency. Conducting field research and learning from other initiatives experiences are also essential.

Policies that encourage waste segregation, appropriate disposal techniques, greater investment in WTE infrastructure, public education campaigns, and private sector incentives are crucial. Encouraging R&D, integrating the unorganized sector, and building a strong regulatory framework would all contribute to the development of WtE technologies and increase their affordability and sustainability.

Conclusion

As an investment and commercial opportunity, this industry offers a lot of potential if adequate frameworks and policies are in place. The waste-to-energy sector can mitigate environmental challenges and offer monetary benefits through efficient waste management and utilization. Other benefits include reduced reliance on fossil fuels, a diversified energy mix, and enhanced energy security. India can successfully address the difficulties posed by the increasing amount of waste generated by the country by harnessing the power of innovation and improving current practices, while also incorporating the public, business sector, civil society, and government.