Technical viability of utilization of municipal organic waste in an integrated energy recovery system: the case of Kakungulu Satellite City in Uganda

Abstract

This dissertation presents the methods and findings of a study on utilization of municipal organic waste in an integrated energy recovery system. The scheme for this study was a derivative of a realization that due to the availability of very little local information pertaining to the recovery of energy from municipal organic waste, many Ugandan communities have not benefited from such renewable energy resources. The research therefore aimed at conducting a study to provide local information in regard to the technical viability of energy recovery from municipal organic waste and its use. The case study for this research was Kakungulu Satellite City; the first satellite city to be established in Uganda by Akright Projects Ltd, and is a planned residence for a self-sufficient urban community. The motivation for selecting a satellite city for this research derives from the fact that there are large amounts of waste generated at such developments. The energy needs of Kakungulu Satellite City community, together with organic waste generation, collection and disposal were documented through meetings with residents and the R&D officials of Akright Projects Ltd., to ascertain the current energy uses and waste generation rate at Kakungulu Satellite City. Experiments were then conducted to establish the potential of generated waste for biogas; a renewable energy carrier, and hence its energy equivalent. An energy recovery planning model was then developed to aid the energy recovery planning for related developments elsewhere other than Kakungulu Satellite City. The test results for the model show that in an integrated energy recovery system, the waste generated can generate biogas enough to substitute the use of conventional energy for cooking/heating, lighting, and cooling by about 23%. This is quite a significant contribution to renewable energy and consequently to the total energy supply, which when achieved by implementation of such energy recovery projects could go a long way in fostering sustainability and increased energy supply in Uganda.