Hybrid Waste-to-Energy Solutions within a Circular Economy Framework Directed towards Sustainable Urban Waste Management in Ghana

Ekua Afrakoma Armoo (), Satyanarayana Narra, Mutala Mohammed, Belinda Boahemaa, Essossinam Beguedou, Francis Kemausuor and Francis Boateng Agyenim
Additional contact information
Ekua Afrakoma Armoo: Department of Waste and Resource Management, University of Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany
Satyanarayana Narra: Department of Waste and Resource Management, University of Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany
Mutala Mohammed: Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Institute of Industrial Research, Accra P.O. Box LG 576, Ghana
Belinda Boahemaa: The Brew-Hammond Energy Center, College of Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), PMB, Kumasi AK-039-5028, Ghana
Essossinam Beguedou: Department of Waste and Resource Management, University of Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany
Francis Kemausuor: Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), PMB, Kumasi AK-039-5028, Ghana
Francis Boateng Agyenim: Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Institute of Industrial Research, Accra P.O. Box LG 576, Ghana

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 12, 1-25

Abstract: Cities in developing countries continue to struggle with mounting waste management challenges. Within a circular economy framework, energy recovery is mostly nonexistent. Against that background, this study aimed to design and assess the viability of a hybrid waste-to-energy facility for the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA) in Ghana by 2030. The proposed plant integrates solar PV, anaerobic digestion and pyrolysis to treat unsegregated municipal solid waste. Three cases were developed for different product combinations. Material flow analysis was performed with STAN software 2.7.101. The results indicate that 1.6 million tons of MSW will be generated, to be potentially converted to 271 GWh of electricity, 6400 tons of hydrogen or 4400 tons of bio-compressed natural gas per year, along with additional products: compost, refuse-derived fuel and bio-oil. The economic indicators show that all cases are potentially viable in terms of the net present value (EUR 397 to 1030 million), internal rate of return (14–22%) and levelized cost of energy (0.11–0.18 EUR/kWh). As such, this study proves that waste to energy is a viable waste management solution for large metropolitan areas, with the potential to supply energy, alternative fuels and material products within a circular economy, though it requires the buy-in of policy makers.

Keywords: waste to energy; circular economy; Greater Accra Metropolitan Area; hybrid renewable energy systems; material flows; municipal solid waste (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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