D-SIDE: instrumento para priorização de áreas para usinas de recuperação energética de resíduos sólidos urbanos

Abstract

Over the years, cities have undergone transformations that inevitably contribute to overburdening their operations, which depend on increasingly scarce resources. Elements such as urbanization, population growth, and high consumption rates make the management of these environments even more complex. Typically, urban centers are responsible for significant waste generation, making the management of these materials a challenge for sustainable practices. In addressing this issue, governments have been investing in Waste to Energy (WtE) solutions, which involve energy recovery strategies for waste. These strategies not only contribute to the integrated management of urban solid waste (USW) but also reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance energy security. However, choosing the location for these facilities is not trivial, involving numerous analysis parameters and posing a challenge for decisionmakers. In this context, the objective of this study was to develop an analysis tool, called D-SIDE, to assist decision-making regarding the placement of WtE facilities in urban environments. To achieve this, four analysis stages were developed, structuring the tool’s functionality: i) elicitation of criteria using the Lawshe method, ii) criteria weighting using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), iii) identification of potential areas using georeferencing, and iv) classification of potential areas using the ELECTRE TRI multicriteria method. The tool was validated by applying it to a realworld scenario through simulation, utilizing data from Curitiba., considering the installation of facilities using incineration and anaerobic digestion technologies. Regarding the results, the tool served its purpose and successfully identified and classified areas based on their suitability for hosting WtE facilities in Curitiba. Concerning technologies, only anaerobic digestion proved feasible, as incineration did not meet all specified requirements. Four alternatives for facility installation were identified, with three showing high potential for receiving a plant using anaerobic digestion technology (a1, a3, and a4). Thus, the main contribution of this work is believed to be the provision of an analysis tool capable of assisting municipal managers, entrepreneurs, and researchers in mitigating uncertainties and improving decision-making regarding the selection of WtE facility locations.