Review of Organic Waste-to-Energy (OWtE) Technologies as a Part of a Sustainable Circular Economy

Svetlana Zueva (), Francesco Ferella, Valentina Corradini and Francesco Vegliò
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Svetlana Zueva: Department of Industrial and Information Engineering and Economics (DIIIE), University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
Francesco Ferella: Department of Industrial and Information Engineering and Economics (DIIIE), University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
Valentina Corradini: Department of Industrial and Information Engineering and Economics (DIIIE), University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
Francesco Vegliò: Department of Industrial and Information Engineering and Economics (DIIIE), University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 15, 1-26

Abstract: Organic waste-to-energy (OWtE) technologies are playing a steadily increasing role in the Green Transition, thus becoming a powerful driver in the establishment of an ever more efficient and sustainable circular economy. The advantages of OWtE processes are well known: not only do they reduce the waste volumes sent to landfills or incineration plants, but also and foremost, through the energy they yield (biogenic carbon dioxide, amongst others), they reduce dependance on fossil fuels. This article gives a complete panorama of these technologies, starting from the classical methods and ending with a review of the latest modern novelties. Advantages and disadvantages of each method are highlighted, with particular focus on the formation of by-products and the relevant treatment aimed at preventing environmental pollution. Accordingly, modern techniques for increasing waste-to-energy efficiency and integrating the concept of circular economy and substitutability are analyzed from this perspective. Along with an analysis of modern scientific achievements in this area, practical examples of the implementation of technologies in European countries are given, with an emphasis on the obvious advantages, both economic and environmental.

Keywords: organic waste; waste-to-energy; circular economy; biochemical processes; thermochemical processes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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