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Research and Innovation Needs for the Waste-To-Energy Sector towards a Net-Zero Circular Economy

Author

Listed:
  • Alessandro Dal Pozzo

    (Laboratory of Industrial Safety and Environmental Sustainability, Alma Mater Studiorum—Università di Bologna, Via Terracini n.28, 40131 Bologna, Italy)

  • Mathieu Lucquiaud

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Sheffield, Sir Frederick Mappin Building, Mappin Street, Sheffield S1 3JD, UK
    School of Engineering, The University of Edinburgh, The King’s Buildings, Edinburgh EH9 3JL, UK)

  • Johan De Greef

    (ChEMaRTS, Leuven Group T Campus, Department of Materials Engineering, KU Leuven, Andreas Vesaliusstraat 13, 3000 Leuven, Belgium)

Abstract

This perspective article aims to identify key research priorities to make the waste-to-energy sector compatible with the societal goals of circularity and carbon neutrality. These priorities range from fundamental research to process engineering innovations and socio-economic challenges. Three focus areas are highlighted: (i) the optimization of flue gas cleaning processes to minimize gaseous emissions and cross-media, (ii) the expansion of process control intelligence to meet targets for both material recovery and energy recovery, and (iii) climate neutrality, with the potential for negative emissions via the removal of atmospheric carbon dioxide across the full cycle of the waste resource. For each area, recent research trends and key aspects that are yet to be addressed are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Alessandro Dal Pozzo & Mathieu Lucquiaud & Johan De Greef, 2023. "Research and Innovation Needs for the Waste-To-Energy Sector towards a Net-Zero Circular Economy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-14, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:4:p:1909-:d:1068859
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Govindan, Kannan, 2023. "How digitalization transforms the traditional circular economy to a smart circular economy for achieving SDGs and net zero," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).

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