The influence of energy output and substitution on the environmental impact of waste-to-energy operation: quantification by means of a case study

A life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted to evaluate the total environmental impact of state-of-the-art waste-to-energy (WtE) in Belgium with respect recovered energy utilization and addition carbon capture storage (CCS). Four output scenarios were modeled on Umberto LCA software using primary data mass flows surrounding six incinerators at considered WtE plant predefined processes from Ecoinvent 3.6 database. The normalized results suggest that by utilizing all as high-pressure steam, can avoid an equivalent annual value approximately 21200, 36800, 6700, 15800, 37000, 6900 average European citizens categories ‘climate change,’ ‘freshwater terrestrial acidification,’ eutrophication,’ ‘photochemical ozone creation,’ ‘respiratory effects, inorganics,’ ‘terrestrial respectively. ‘Electricity Steam CCS’ scenario resulted most avoided category change.’ However, other categories, it less compared ‘Steam’ scenario. comparative analysis showed 19 out 24 varied more than 50% between a region-specific region- fuel-specific model, thus quantifying influence uncertainty, introduced normative choice substituted modeling. This study exemplifies benefit technology realize substituting conventional production are reliant fossil resources, while performing its function is reducing volume non-recyclable waste, destroying hazardous organic components contains, recovering useful materials it.