Emission reductions potential for energy from municipal solid waste incineration in Chongqing

Municipal solid waste (MSW) is a potential energy resource which can be incineration to energy. Furthermore, it can conserve more valuable fossil fuel and improve the environment by lessening Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission and the amount of waste that must be landfilled. This paper highlights the MSW generation and characteristics for the city of Chongqing, the nation's fourth largest municipality after Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin. At present the daily amount of MSW generated per person is about 0.85 kg; food waste accounts for about 53.7% of total MSW. MSW in Chongqing has higher moisture content and lower net caloric value, which is an obstruction for incineration. This paper examines the emission reductions potential for MSW incineration power plant in urban Chongqing. As a case study, emission reductions analysis and economic assessment was implemented for Tongxing MSW incineration power plant. The results show that with the power displacement potential at 235 060 MWh, Chongqing is expected to generate emission reductions as much as 815 862–827 969 tCO2 and net profit US$7.72 million per annum.