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Biogas Potential from Slums as a Sustainable and Resilient Route for Renewable Energy Diffusion in Urban Areas and Organic Waste Management in Vulnerable Communities in São Paulo

Author

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  • Camila Agner D’Aquino

    (Institute of Energy and Environment, University of São Paulo, 1289 Professor Luciano Gualberto Ave., Cidade Universitária, Butantã 05508-010, SP, Brazil)

  • Bruno Alves Pereira

    (Institute of Energy and Environment, University of São Paulo, 1289 Professor Luciano Gualberto Ave., Cidade Universitária, Butantã 05508-010, SP, Brazil)

  • Tulio Ferreira Sawatani

    (Institute of Energy and Environment, University of São Paulo, 1289 Professor Luciano Gualberto Ave., Cidade Universitária, Butantã 05508-010, SP, Brazil)

  • Samantha Coelho de Moura

    (Institute of Energy and Environment, University of São Paulo, 1289 Professor Luciano Gualberto Ave., Cidade Universitária, Butantã 05508-010, SP, Brazil)

  • Alice Tagima

    (Institute of Energy and Environment, University of São Paulo, 1289 Professor Luciano Gualberto Ave., Cidade Universitária, Butantã 05508-010, SP, Brazil)

  • Júlia Carolina Bevervanso Borba Ferrarese

    (Institute of Energy and Environment, University of São Paulo, 1289 Professor Luciano Gualberto Ave., Cidade Universitária, Butantã 05508-010, SP, Brazil)

  • Samantha Christine Santos

    (Institute of Energy and Environment, University of São Paulo, 1289 Professor Luciano Gualberto Ave., Cidade Universitária, Butantã 05508-010, SP, Brazil)

  • Ildo Luis Sauer

    (Institute of Energy and Environment, University of São Paulo, 1289 Professor Luciano Gualberto Ave., Cidade Universitária, Butantã 05508-010, SP, Brazil)

Abstract

Slums are populated poor areas inside urban centers, mostly deprived of good-quality public services and exposed to inappropriate waste disposal and energy poverty. Using the organic fraction waste from these communities to generate high value-added products, including electricity, heat, and fertilizer, provides a circular bioeconomy with mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, reducing environmental pollution and diseases. The present study aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of producing bioelectricity from the biogas obtained through the anaerobic digestion of the 400,000 tons of food waste generated in São Paulo’s slums, the largest city in Latin America. The biogas potential was calculated using results obtained from previous studies, expanded to the slums, mapped, and discussed the environmental impact of waste mismanagement and the renewable energy source (RES) integration into the local energy system. The results show a bioelectricity potential of up to 147,734 MWh/y, representing 1.3% of the residential electricity demand with an associated potential reduction of 2111.7 CO 2 eq Gg/y.

Suggested Citation

  • Camila Agner D’Aquino & Bruno Alves Pereira & Tulio Ferreira Sawatani & Samantha Coelho de Moura & Alice Tagima & Júlia Carolina Bevervanso Borba Ferrarese & Samantha Christine Santos & Ildo Luis Saue, 2022. "Biogas Potential from Slums as a Sustainable and Resilient Route for Renewable Energy Diffusion in Urban Areas and Organic Waste Management in Vulnerable Communities in São Paulo," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-10, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:12:p:7016-:d:833945
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    References listed on IDEAS

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