Back
 JEP  Vol.5 No.9 , June 2014
Converting Urban Waste into Energy in Kathmandu Valley: Barriers and Opportunities
Maria E. I. Shrestha*, Junun Sartohadi, M. Kholid Ridwan, Dyah R. Hizbaron
Show more
Abstract: The population explosion, rapid urbanization rate and the increase in economic activities in Kathmandu Valley have created serious problems in various aspects, including solid waste management and energy deficiency. Despite the existence of distinct link between waste and energy, the “waste to energy” concept is still viewed as an inferior method in Nepal. The government and other concerned stakeholders pay more attention towards the development of hydropower, the major source of electricity production in Nepal. This paper intends to link between solid waste management and inadequacy in energy supply. Kathmandu Valley produces about 620 tons/day solid waste from its five municipalities. The study has shown some opportunities for Kathmandu Valley to convert its solid waste into energy. Even if only organic waste is treated, it produces energy sufficient to light more than 1000 houses in Kathmandu Valley. The quantity of waste, its heat content, the need of additional energy supply, the support from government and service users are some openings that hopefully can contribute to resolving the problems of solid waste and energy supply in Kathmandu Valley.
Keywords: Solid Waste Management, Waste to Energy, Kathmandu Valley, Barriers, Opportunities
Cite this paper: Shrestha, M. , Sartohadi, J. , Ridwan, M. and Hizbaron, D. (2014) Converting Urban Waste into Energy in Kathmandu Valley: Barriers and Opportunities. Journal of Environmental Protection, 5, 772-779. doi: 10.4236/jep.2014.59079.
References

[1]   Minghua, Z., Xiumin, F., Rovetta, A., Qichang, H., Vicentini, F., Bingkai, L., Giusti, A. and Yi, L. (2009) Municipal Solid Waste Management in Pudong New Area, China. Waste Management, 29, 1227-1233.

[2]   Kalyani, K.A. and Pandey, K.K. (2014) Waste to Energy Status in India: A Short Review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 31, 113-120.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2013.11.020

[3]   Pant, B. (2012) Issues of Urban Governance in Nepal: With Special Reference to Kathmandu.

[4]   ADB (2013) Solid Waste Management in Nepal.

[5]   Boemi, S., Papadopoulos, A., Karagiannidis, A. and Kontogianni, S. (2010) Barriers on the Propagation of Renewable Energy Sources and Sustainable Solid Waste Management Practices in Greece. Waste Management and Research, 28, 967-976.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0734242X10375867

[6]   Rentizelas, A.A., Tolis, A.I. and Tatsiopoulos, I.P. (2014) Combined Municipal Solid Waste and Biomass System Optimization for District Energy Applications. Waste Management, 34, 36-48.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2013.09.026

[7]   Singh, R.P., Tyagi, V.V., Allen, T., Ibrahim, M.H. and Kothari, R. (2011) An Overview for Exploring the Possibilities of Energy Generation from Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) in Indian Scenario. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 15, 4797-4808.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2011.07.071

[8]   Kumar, K.N. and Goel, S. (2009) Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) and a Proposed Management Plan for Kharagpur, West Bengal, India. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 53, 166-174.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2008.11.004

[9]   Shin, H.-C., Park, J.-W., Kim, H.-S. and Shin, E.-S. (2005) Environmental and Economic Assessment of Landfill Gas Electricity Generation in Korea Using LEAP Model. Energy Policy, 33, 1261-1270.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2003.12.002

[10]   Gunamantha, M. (2012) Life Cycle Assessment of Municipal Solid Waste Treatment to Energy Options: Case Study of Kartamantul Region, Yogyakarta. Renewable Energy, 41, 277-284.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2011.11.008

[11]   Habib, K., Schmidt, J.H. and Christensen, P. (2013) A Historical Perspective of Global Warming Potential from Municipal Solid Waste Management. Waste Management, 33, 1926-1933.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2013.04.016

[12]   Bosmans, A., Vanderreydt, I., Geysen, D. and Helsen, L. (2013) The Crucial Role of Waste-to-Energy Technologies in Enhanced Landfill Mining: A Technology Review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 55, 10-23.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2012.05.032

[13]   Hui, Y., Li’ao, W., Fenwei, S. and Gang, H. (2006) Urban Solid Waste Management in Chongqing: Challenges and Opportunities. Waste Management, 26, 1052-1062.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2005.09.005

[14]   WECS (2010) Energy Sector Synopsis Report 2010. Kathmandu.

[15]   JICA (2005) The Study on the Solid Waste Management for the Kathmandu Valley. Final Report Volume I: Executive Summary.

[16]   Shrestha, R.M. and Malla, S. (2013) Air Pollution from Energy Use in a Developing Country City: The Case of Kathmandu, Nepal.

[17]   Wichmann, H., Kolb, M., Jopke, P., Schmidt, C., Alawi, M. and Bahadir, M. (2006) Assessment of the Environmental Impact of Landfill Sites with Open Combustion Located in Arid Regions by Combined Chemical and Ecotoxicological Studies. Chemosphere, 65, 1778-1783.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2006.04.058

[18]   AEPC (2013) Scaling up Renewable Energy Program Waste to Energy Project Nepal Social Management Framework (SMF) Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC). Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, Kathmandu.

 
 
Top