Biogas Potential for Improved Sustainability in Guangzhou, China—A Study Focusing on Food Waste on Xiaoguwei Island

Roozbeh Feiz, Jonas Ammenberg, Annika Björn, Yufang Guo, Magnus Karlsson, Yonghui Liu, Yuxian Liu, Laura Shizue Moriga Masuda, Alex Enrich-Prast, Harald Rohracher, Kristina Trygg, Sepehr Shakeri Yekta and Fagen Zhang
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Roozbeh Feiz: Department of Management and Engineering, Division for Environmental Technology and Management, Linköping University, Linköping 58183, Sweden
Jonas Ammenberg: Department of Management and Engineering, Division for Environmental Technology and Management, Linköping University, Linköping 58183, Sweden
Annika Björn: Department of Thematic Studies, Environmental Change, Linköping University, Linköping 58183, Sweden
Yufang Guo: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Magnus Karlsson: Department of Management and Engineering, Division for Environmental Technology and Management, Linköping University, Linköping 58183, Sweden
Yonghui Liu: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Yuxian Liu: Linköping University–Guangzhou University Research Center on Urban Sustainable Development, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Laura Shizue Moriga Masuda: Institute of Biology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil
Alex Enrich-Prast: Department of Thematic Studies, Environmental Change, Linköping University, Linköping 58183, Sweden
Harald Rohracher: Department of Thematic Studies, Technology and Social Change, Linköping University, Linköping 58183, Sweden
Kristina Trygg: Department of Thematic Studies, Technology and Social Change, Linköping University, Linköping 58183, Sweden
Sepehr Shakeri Yekta: Department of Thematic Studies, Environmental Change, Linköping University, Linköping 58183, Sweden
Fagen Zhang: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 6, 1-25

Abstract: As a result of rapid development in China and the growth of megacities, large amounts of organic wastes are generated within relatively small areas. Part of these wastes can be used to produce biogas, not only to reduce waste-related problems, but also to provide renewable energy, recycle nutrients, and lower greenhouse gases and air polluting emissions. This article is focused on the conditions for biogas solutions in Guangzhou. It is based on a transdisciplinary project that integrates several approaches, for example, literature studies and lab analysis of food waste to estimate the food waste potential, interviews to learn about the socio-technical context and conditions, and life-cycle assessment to investigate the performance of different waste management scenarios involving biogas production. Xiaoguwei Island, with a population of about 250,000 people, was chosen as the area of study. The results show that there are significant food waste potentials on the island, and that all studied scenarios could contribute to a net reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Several socio-technical barriers were identified, but it is expected that the forthcoming regulatory changes help to overcome some of them.

Keywords: biogas; food waste; system study; biomethane potential; socio-technical study; megacities; China; Guangzhou city; Xiaoguwei Island (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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