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Abstract:
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Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) can be used as an energy source to generate electricity. This is also called :"waste to energy". But is "waste to energy" a renewable energy? Some consider MSW-derived electricity as a "renewable energy," while others do not consider MSW a renewable because of mixed, complicated waste components. In this work, EIA updated its methodology that it uses to divide MSW into its biogenic and non-biogenic portions. This allows MSW consumption in power generation to be divided into its renewable and non-renewable components based on the estimated heat content of the biogenic and non- biogenic portions of MSW. This approach offers a consistent treatment of the MSW components that that are combusted for energy and avoids alternative approaches that would either include or exclude all MSW from renewable energy. EIA collects, analyzes, and disseminates independent and impartial energy information to promote sound policymaking, efficient markets, and public understanding of energy and its interaction with the economy and the environment.
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