Waste again

The latest edition of Power Line has some interesting overviews of the national scene on biomass, cogeneration, captive plants, etc among which is one on big benefits from biomass and cogeneration. The case studies give details of projects. Among this is one on waste to energy (WTE) run by Shriram Energy Systems in Vijayawada and Guntur.

The plant processes municipal solid waste into refuse-derived fuel fluff. Put up at a cost of Rs 460 million, it generates 6 MW of power which it sells to AP Transco at Rs 3.70 per unit. Other renewable biomass fuels like rice husk are also used.

Around 505 tonnes of municipal solid waste (MSW) from the two cities is first treated for a reduction of moisture content from 45 to 25 percent. The dried combustible material has a calorific value of 1800-2400 K cal per kg.

The project was registered as a CDM one last year and enjoys a 10-year credit period.
Not only has the plant saved the cities the problem of finding landfills for its waste, it has turned the waste into wealth.

Experts often dismiss WTE in Indian scenario due to high moisture content and a low calorific value of waste generated. Costs as high as Rs 8 cr for 1 MW and a minimum requirement of 150 tonnes to generate 1 MW have been cited as unfavourable conditions. It is better to segregate waste and turn the organic part into composite, say some.

Some have even cast suspicions about the ‘actual’ fuel used to run the plants, claiming that many times these are the conventional fuels!

If you have authenticated information on successful WTE, do let us know.