Technology Overview

Waste-to-Energy (WtE) is a technology that generates electricity by processing and incinerating solid waste to produce heat, which is then used to generate steam and drive turbines. This technology integrates waste treatment with energy production, helping reduce the volume of waste requiring landfill disposal.

The system input consists of municipal solid waste or landfill gas, while outputs include electricity and potentially useful by-products, such as heat.

Technical Characteristics

The net electrical efficiency of WtE plants is approximately 25–35%, lower than conventional thermal power plants, due to heterogeneous fuel characteristics and lower calorific value. However, plants can operate relatively stable with high capacity factors when waste supply is continuous.

An important consideration is the need for advanced flue gas treatment systems to control hazardous pollutants such as dioxins, furans, and heavy metals, resulting in higher technical complexity and operational requirements compared to many other technologies.

Investment costs are approximately 7 million USD/MW for direct incineration plants, reflecting the high requirements for waste processing and environmental control technologies. The value of WtE lies not only in electricity generation, but also in reducing waste management costs and emissions from landfills. In the energy transition, WtE plays a complementary role, particularly in urban areas, contributing to indirect emission reductions and resource recovery.

Application in Vietnam

In Vietnam, WtE projects have been implemented in several major cities, although significant development potential remains for the future.