Using biogas produced in landfill for electricity generation in a Brazilian state to a horizon of 2050.

Abstract

Generally, urbanization processes occur in a disorderly way, especially in developing countries, and are characterized as one of the most aggressive human interaction with the environment. In the State of Minas Gerais, which consists of 853 municipalities organized in 17 Development Territories, approximately 85.3% of the population live in urban areas, evidencing the need for a good management of energy resources and an adequate disposal of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW). In this context, one feasible possibility is the use of biogas from landfills, which aggregates solutions for both MSW management and electricity generation, as it is being analysed in this work. The methodology proposed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was used, which is generally based on population expansion in urban areas, as well as the rate of MSW per capita, considering the different arrangements of gravimetric composition. Next, the potential of electricity generation was presented considering the energy conversion efficiencies of four technological routes. The results showed that the use of motors as energy conversion technology presents the greatest technical feasibility for the implementation of such projects, reaching theoretical values of generation of up to 2,237.06 MWh / day in 2050.