Waste-To-Energy: A Strategy for Urban Sprawl Management in Enugu Metropolis, South East, Nigeria

Abstract

Solid waste buildup, urban sprawl, and energy shortage are the results of Enugu's rapid urbanization, population growth, and economic activity. Even if there is now a clear connection between garbage and energy, the term "waste-to-energy" is still ambiguous in Nigeria. Despite urban growth, the study has revealed some prospects for the Enugu urban region to turn its solid waste into electricity. According to the report, Enugu's six waste management zones produce roughly 420 tons of solid trash every day. The investigation makes it clear that each tonne of municipal solid trash from Enugu has the capacity to produce 17.001 million BTU. This indicates that solid waste in the Enugu metropolitan region may potentially provide 5.0 MW of energy per day. If solely organic garbage is burned, it will produce roughly 2.96 million Btu (1.1MW), which is enough to power about 900 homes in the city of Enugu. According to the research, the authorities should establish strict regulations for solid waste management and provide clear guidelines for garbage collection and transportation methods. Additionally, the landfill site needs to include a biofiltration system for odor control; sanitary landfills must be used in place of open dumps; and anaerobic digestion, a cost-effective method of converting solid waste into energy, should be taken into consideration. In order to meet the need for energy, the government must ultimately collaborate with the private sector to acquire technology that can turn solid waste into gas or electricity.