Industrial heat defossilization: A comparative analysis of waste incineration and clean energy scenarios

The incineration of waste for power generation, the utilisation of cogeneration, and the application of heating represent promising approaches to the decarbonisation of a future carbon-neutral society. Nevertheless, given the context of global carbon neutrality promotion and growing interest from countries in the potential of waste as a substitute for fossil fuels, the comparative efficacy of the three waste energy recovery mechanisms remains uncertain. In order to address this uncertainty, this study has devised five scenarios, the differential performance of which has been evaluated through the application of a difference-in-difference methodology. The cogeneration scenario, which represent the cogeneration mechanism, evinces superior performance with respect to energy and environmental outcomes in comparison to the power generation scenarios, which represent the power generation mechanism. Concurrently, the theoretical basis for the large-scale heating (medium T&P) scenario, representing the heating mechanism, was validated through the differential performance of the scenarios, which demonstrated that it is superior to the cogeneration scenario. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the high T&P heating scenario, which transports steam at 15 MPa and 550 °C, resulted in a reduction of fossil fuel consumption by 66 GJ/h in comparison to the 4 MPa and 400 °C scenario. This study presents a comprehensive examination of the obstacles hindering the expansion of green hydrogen production. The findings suggest that self-produced green hydrogen systems remain cost-effective in comparison to externally sourced green hydrogen.