BINDU VIJAYAKUMARI SUDHAKARAN AND IRSHAD IBRAHIMKUTTY
Abstract
This study investigates the viability of setting up a decentralized network of waste-to-energy facilities in India with special reference to Kerala, using cow dung and agricultural waste to generate renewable electricity. This study employed a comprehensive approach focusing on data collection on waste generation (cattle dung and agricultural waste), data on Installed Capacity and consumption of energy from Kerala State Electricity Board, estimating energy potential and financial evaluation and component analysis of a suitable Waste-to-Energy (WTE) plant were conducted. In order to guarantee a steady supply of feedstock and regional advantages, this study identified a model that gives priority to a large number of smaller plants. Every year, each 1 MW biogas-powered Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant can produce about 8,300,000 kWh of electricity and needs about 57,000 metric tonnes of cattle dung, or the production of 7,800 cattle. Based on Keralaâs 2022â2023 consumption data, a carefully planned network of 100 of these plants, running for a conservative 6,000 hours annually, could generate 600 GWh of renewable electricity, potentially powering over 870,000 people. This shows considerable scalability as it accounts for less than 10% of the stateâs overall waste-to-energy potential. Clean energy, decent work, and environmental sustainability are among the 12 UN Sustainable Development Goals that the project supports. Each plant will require about one acre of land, in addition to a feedstock storage area for ten days. In order to maximize social development, sustainable waste management, greenhouse gas reduction, and renewable energy generation, we advise a public-private partnership with the Kerala government.