How can MSW incineration power plants enhance carbon reduction benefits?

Domestic waste incineration power plant (hereinafter referred to as "incineration power plant") can not only avoid greenhouse gas (methane) generated in the process of domestic waste landfill, but also replace fossil fuels for clean power generation, with a dual carbon reduction effect of "controlling methane emissions+replacing fossil fuels for power generation". It is estimated that by the end of 2021, the national incineration power plants have reduced carbon by 120 million tons due to avoiding methane emissions from landfill, and by 50 million tons due to replacing coal-fired power generation. If the waste heat utilization efficiency of incineration power plants can be further improved and the replacement of coal-fired power generation can be enhanced, the carbon reduction benefits can be further enhanced.

The MSW incineration plants in China mostly adopt the pure power generation mode, and the comprehensive energy efficiency of pure power generation of MSW incineration plants is lower than that of pure steam heating or cogeneration. It is understood that R1 values of steam heating and cogeneration in EU waste incineration plants are 0.64 and 0.76 respectively, while R1 values of steam heating and cogeneration in Korean waste incineration plants are 0.75 and 0.64 respectively. In order to further improve the comprehensive energy efficiency and broaden the profit channels, China's qualified incineration power plants can be upgraded to the energy ladder utilization system of combined heat and power or combined heat and power in combination with the industrial layout characteristics of the surrounding areas.