Energy production from landfill gases in African countries

Abstract

Over last two decades the risk and reality of environmental degradation have become more apparent with increasing economic development and population growth. Solving the current environmental problems, while addressing issues related to electricity generation and solid wastes problems, requires long-term potential actions for sustainable development. In this regard, renewable energy resources are recognised as one of the most efficient and effective solutions. Therefore, there is a need to expand the production of electricity from various forms of renewable energy. A review of the present energy situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and South Africa (RSA) is presented in this paper to show that using landfill gas for energy is a viable source of electricity for both the countries. The paper also analyzes the potential of Landfill gas recovery from waste, introduces systems that enable to generate energy, analyzes quantity and economic value of decomposition products (gas, byproducts), quantifies estimated construction and operating costs, and evaluates the economic and environmental impact.