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Economic and Environmental Feasibility of Cogeneration from Food Waste: A Case Study in São Paulo City

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Listed:
  • Douglas Eldo Pereira de Oliveira

    (Smart and Sustainable Cities Post-Graduation Program, Nove de Julho University (UNINOVE), São Paulo 01504-001, SP, Brazil)

  • Amanda Carvalho Miranda

    (Technology Center, Agreste Campus, Federal University of Pernambuco, Caruaru 5502-970, PE, Brazil)

  • Milton Vieira Junior

    (Production Engineering Graduate Program, Methodist University of Piracicaba, Piracicaba 13400-390, SP, Brazil)

  • José Carlos Curvelo Santana

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, Polytechnic School, São Paulo University, Av. Prof. Luciano Gualberto, 380-Butantã, São Paulo 05508-010, SP, Brazil)

  • Elias Basile Tambourgi

    (School of Chemical Engineering (FEQ), State University of Campinas, Av. Albert Einstein, 6066, Barão Geraldo, Campinas 13084-970, SP, Brazil)

  • Francesco Facchini

    (Department of Mechanics, Mathematics and Management, Polytechnic University of Bari, 70125 Bari, Italy)

  • Raffaello Iavagnilio

    (Department of Mechanics, Mathematics and Management, Polytechnic University of Bari, 70125 Bari, Italy)

  • Luiz Fernando Rodrigues Pinto

    (Smart and Sustainable Cities Post-Graduation Program, Nove de Julho University (UNINOVE), São Paulo 01504-001, SP, Brazil)

Abstract

This paper presents a case study conducted at a food supply centre in a shopping centre in São Paulo city, Brazil. A waste digester was developed based on specifications provided by GE for the generator, and the cost of electricity production from food waste generated in the region was subsequently assessed. Results show that 1,368,750 m 3 biogas was produced for the year, which provided a reduction of 14% of electricity consumption and is equivalent to USD 854 thousand per year. The amount of carbon credits is equivalent to 10,775 metric tons of CO 2 and 51,840 tons of organic waste humus per year. The energy produced by biogas from food waste had a unit cost of 0.10 USD/kWh. At the end of the project, a profit of USD 3.087 million was achieved, which is equivalent to an ROI of 433%. There is a reduction in energy costs by USD 854 thousand per year and a payback of 1.01 years. These indicate that biogas production from food waste is economically viable.

Suggested Citation

  • Douglas Eldo Pereira de Oliveira & Amanda Carvalho Miranda & Milton Vieira Junior & José Carlos Curvelo Santana & Elias Basile Tambourgi & Francesco Facchini & Raffaello Iavagnilio & Luiz Fernando Rod, 2024. "Economic and Environmental Feasibility of Cogeneration from Food Waste: A Case Study in São Paulo City," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-17, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:7:p:2979-:d:1369488
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Li, Wei & Guo, Jianbin & Cheng, Huicai & Wang, Wei & Dong, Renjie, 2017. "Two-phase anaerobic digestion of municipal solid wastes enhanced by hydrothermal pretreatment: Viability, performance and microbial community evaluation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 189(C), pages 613-622.
    2. Giovanni Bianco & Barbara Bonvini & Stefano Bracco & Federico Delfino & Paola Laiolo & Giorgio Piazza, 2021. "Key Performance Indicators for an Energy Community Based on Sustainable Technologies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-14, August.
    3. Dalke, Rachel & Demro, Delaney & Khalid, Yusra & Wu, Haoran & Urgun-Demirtas, Meltem, 2021. "Current status of anaerobic digestion of food waste in the United States," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    4. Ogejo, J.A. & Li, L., 2010. "Enhancing biomethane production from flush dairy manure with turkey processing wastewater," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(10), pages 3171-3177, October.
    5. Jan Drofenik & Danijela Urbancl & Darko Goričanec & Zdravko Kravanja & Zorka Novak Pintarič, 2023. "Food Waste to Energy through Innovative Coupling of CHP and Heat Pump," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-18, April.
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