South-East-North Network on Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment of Waste-to-Energy Technologies (SEN4WTE)
Description
Brazil produces 80 million tons of solid waste annually and only 4% is reused or recycled. This creates a significant problem for cities; however, it could be a good opportunity for Waste-to-Energy (WtE) technologies. Banana peels, for example, are a good feedstock for thermochemical conversion due to the substantial volume of underutilized or improperly disposed agri-food residues. With more than 83 kt of banana peels potentially generated every year in Brasil, there is an opportunity to use this biomass through pyrolysis, a thermochemical process involves converting waste materials into valuable products and byproducts. Extensive research is being conducted to understand the pyrolysis mechanisms for different types of waste and to enable their industrial-scale use. WtE technologies must prioritize achieving higher energy recovery efficiency, lower pollutant emissions, and positive impacts on societal well-being. However, there is a lack of comprehensive studies addressing the sustainability aspects of these technologies. Conducting socioenvironmental assessments using a life cycle approach is essential to analyze the complete waste-to-energy value chain and provide comprehensive insights into the holistic sustainability aspects of these technologies.
This project aims to assess the socio-environmental aspects of an industrial-scale pyrolysis plant in Brazil through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA). The waste used in this WtE system is banana peels. This project will contribute to disseminating the life cycle thinking, developing S-LCA, and adopting WtE technologies in Brazil.
Research at Jülich System Analysis: As an associated partner Jülich Systems Analysis will provide capacity building in the field of S-LCA.
Duration
March 2025 – March 2026
Funding
International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) – UK Research and Innovation
Project Partners
Universidade Federal Fluminense (coordinator)
Brunel University of London
University of the West of Scotland
National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli
University of Engineering and Technology Taxila
Contact
Dr. Christina Wulf
Team Leader
- Institute of Climate and Energy Systems (ICE)
- Juelich Systems Analysis (ICE-2)
Room 3004