Waste to Energy and Renewable Energies – Design of Hybrid Energy Systems

About the Project

The advancement and economic development of any nation depends mostly on its energy structure. As the world population keeps increasing, the demand for electricity also rises.

Over the years, researchers have gone into their comfort zones in an effort to conceive alternative sources of electricity generation for a sustainable economy. The generation rate of Municipal Solid Waste is expected to increase to 2.2 billion tonnes per year by 2025 worldwide. Electricity from municipal solid waste and renewable energy sources is one of such results that have created a world-wide impact and have enhanced rapidly with the use of advanced technologies the production of electricity and the reduction of environmental related waste hazards.

Municipal solid wastes (refuse or rubbish) that are non-recyclable can be directly combusted in waste-to-energy facilities as a fuel with minimal processing, to generate green, cheap and stable electricity. The process of waste incineration with the use steam turbine, gas turbine and combined cycle technologies is a green and renewable source of power generation and a solution to the environmental issues resulting from the inabilities of the relevant authorities to effectively manage the huge municipal solid waste generated each day. Renewables also includes energy generated from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat. It is derived from natural processes that are constantly replenished. Each of these renewable sources has unique characteristics which influence how and where they are used.

Globally, about 19% of total energy consumption came from renewables, with 9% coming from traditional biomass like fuelwood, and 10% from modern renewables such as biomass for heat production and vehicle fuel, geothermal, biofuel, solar, wind and hydropower. This research will examine hybrid energy generation system which will include conversion of municipal solid waste, solar and other renewable energies to generate sustainable electricity.

How to apply

Formal applications can be submitted via the University of Bradford web site; applicants will need to register an account, select 'Postgraduate Research' as the course and then use the keywords 'chemical engineering'. Applicants should then specify the project title in the 'Research Proposal' section.

Funding Notes

This is a self-funded PhD project; applicants will be expected to pay their own fees or have a suitable source of third-party funding. UK students may be able to apply for a Doctoral Loan from Student Finance for financial support.