Journal of Ecosystem & Ecography
Open Access

Abstract

Asociety receives energy and raw material as an input from the environment and gives environmental pollution as an output in return. In the long-term perspective, such an input-output imbalance degrades the environment. In India, solid waste contributes to about 1.15 tonnes per day, which is surprisingly today also treated in traditional manner by using regular processes like dumping or landfill. This leads to various environmental problems like water pollution, air pollution etc. In the similar way, generation of electricity by use of coal also leads to environmental hazards. Moreover, the demand and supply position of electricity is 122GW and 110GW respectively. With the consumption of coal at such an alarming rate for generation of electricity is a matter of serious concern. Keeping this in mind the voice for the use of resources in a sustainable manner and prioritizing the use of non-conventional sources has been raised tremendously worldwide. The increase in generation of solid waste and the usual treatment needs to be replaced by use of advanced technology. This paper illustrates different types of technologies used for treatment of solid waste in a sustainable manner, a case study of electricity generation from Municipal Solid Waste collected from Solapur Municipal Corporation in Maharashtra. Considering Solapur case as a role model, an attempt has been made to estimate the generation capacity of electricity from the solid waste produced every day by 59 cities situated in India using Biomethanation technology. This analysis would prove beneficial to the environment by using solid waste for strengthening electricity generation of a developing country like India, protecting rather increasing life of conventional sources for the next generation and minimising environmental hazards. To recapitulate an attempt has been made to suggest a two way profit bearing option for treatment of solid waste as well as for energy generation in a sustainable manner.

Biography

Snehal M. Shinde has completed her Masters in Environmental Science from Mumbai University. She has completed her Post Graduate Diploma in Electricity Regulation. She has previous work experience in preparation of Region wise Inventory of Hazardous waste for the State of Maharashtra for Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB). Subsequent to that she has worked in IIT Bombay on a Central Pollution Control Board?s project of Development of Air Pollution Source Profile. Currently, she is working in Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission as a Stipendiary Regulatory Analyst. She had participated in the paper and poster competition conducted in IIT Kanpur at the Energy Conclave 2010