The construction of a new power system is one of the important measures to achieve both energy security and clean transformation. With the continuous increase of solid waste production and the acceleration of the transformation of disposal methods, waste-to-energy incineration has injected new vitality into the construction of new power systems. In 2022, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and other departments made it clear that new domestic waste incineration power generation projects will be prioritized in green power trading, and the importance of waste incineration power generation has been continuously recognized and valued.
A new engine for the construction of a new power system
On the one hand, waste-to-energy incineration ensures the safe development of new power systems. Waste-to-energy incineration can provide stable and continuous power output for the new power system. Compared with other new energy power generation methods, waste-to-energy incineration power generation breaks through the limitations of external natural factors and can ensure the stable operation of the power system. Through effective waste disposal and energy conversion, it can provide important energy supplements for the power system, help accelerate the promotion of new clean energy substitution, break through the limitation of energy resource endowment to a certain extent, reduce the dependence on traditional energy, and meet the basic premise of building a safe and efficient new power system.
On the other hand, waste-to-energy incineration promotes the low-carbon construction of new power systems. Waste-to-energy technology can not only ensure energy supply, but also reduce carbon emissions, through high-temperature incineration, the harmful substances in the garbage can be completely destroyed, reducing environmental pollution. At the same time, it can realize the reduction, recycling, and harmless treatment of garbage, effectively alleviate the environmental pressure of "garbage siege", and convert the chemical energy in garbage into clean electricity, which perfectly meets the green and low-carbon development needs of the new power system.
At the same time, waste-to-energy incineration optimizes the cost structure of the new power system. Through waste-to-energy incineration, waste that would otherwise be considered waste can be converted into valuable energy, reducing the cost of waste disposal. Compared with other energy supply methods, the operating costs of waste-to-energy incineration are relatively low, which can reduce the overall operating cost of the power system. In addition, with the continuous progress of technology and the continuous expansion of scale, the economic benefits of waste-to-energy projects in terms of driving employment and improving the investment environment will be further highlighted, so as to provide more competitive energy solutions for the construction of new power systems.
There are also multiple constraints to development
First, it is difficult for the public to trust, and there are hidden dangers in the nimby effect. Whether it is landfill or incineration, garbage disposal will produce a certain amount of soil, water and air pollution, which in turn will affect the health and quality of life of surrounding residents. Although the relevant units have limited the negative effects of incineration to the greatest extent through technological innovation and process improvement, the public still has panic and rejection of waste incineration plants out of their own interests. In recent years, environmental complaints against waste incineration have continued to grow. This nimby effect is not only reflected in concerns about environmental pollution, but also in the consideration of property value, which makes the public less receptive to waste-to-energy projects.
Second, the relevant technology is not mature enough, and the transformation efficiency is difficult to guarantee. Due to technical limitations, the energy conversion efficiency and power supply efficiency of waste-to-energy power plants in China are difficult to reach the ideal level. Relevant statistics show that the energy conversion efficiency of waste-to-energy power plants is only 63% of that of traditional thermal power plants, and the power supply efficiency is only 56% of that of traditional thermal power plants. In addition, at present, the collection of garbage in China still mainly adopts the method of mixed collection and transportation, which leads to the very complex composition of garbage, and a large number of non-combustible components are mixed in it, which in turn reduces the calorific value of garbage and further restricts the efficiency and effect of waste incineration power generation.
Third, there is not enough talent in the industry, and there is resistance to sustainable development. With the high-quality acceleration of the construction of China's new power system, the cross-talent demand for waste disposal and new power system industry has become increasingly prominent. It is estimated that the current demand for industry-related talents is about 30,000 people. However, the supply and demand of talents in the waste-to-energy industry are characterized by insufficient aggregate and structural insufficiency. On the one hand, the industry is developing rapidly, and the external supply of talents cannot meet the growth of demand in the industry. On the other hand, there is a mismatch between the competence and quality of existing practitioners and those entering the workforce and the actual needs. In terms of industry talent training and reserves, China's universities lack a special training system for waste-to-energy incineration, resulting in a lack of professional talent support for the sustainable and high-quality development of the waste-to-energy industry in the future.
Fourth, the guarantee mechanism is not perfect, and the market operation needs to be standardized. In 2022, the annual new installed capacity of domestic waste incineration power generation will reach 2.57 million kilowatts, and the cumulative installed capacity of domestic waste incineration power generation will reach 23.86 million kilowatts. However, as the capital boom gradually cools, local finances continue to tighten, market competition becomes increasingly fierce, and new projects are becoming increasingly saturated. In the early stage, the problems of blind expansion, extensive management, low operation efficiency and uneven development of waste-to-energy enterprises have gradually emerged. The operation of the waste-to-energy industry needs to be further standardized to ensure market vitality and staying power.
Take multiple measures to promote the progress of the industry
First of all, in-depth control of incineration pollution. The first is to reasonably raise the emission standards of incineration pollutants. By monitoring the average emission concentrations of particulate matter, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from regional waste incineration enterprises, we will strictly formulate cleaner pollutant emission standards suitable for the region and limit pollutant emissions as much as possible. Second, the waste incineration plant should be reasonably located, which should be technically feasible, economically reasonable, environmentally accommodating, and acceptable to the public, not only to avoid adverse effects on the environment and human health, but also to consider the economy. The third is to establish a set of public participation and effective communication mechanisms. The government should institutionalize, standardize, proceduralize and legalize measures such as environmental monitoring information disclosure, public opinion surveys, and hearings, and enterprises should provide complete information to the government and the public as much as possible to eliminate the impact of information asymmetry on public psychology and government decision-making.
Second, strengthen the innovation of core technologies and major equipment applications. The first is to strengthen clean and efficient power generation technologies. With the goal of improving the efficiency and quality of waste-to-energy, we should also pay attention to improving environmental friendliness and reliability, and promote the positive role of waste-to-energy in the construction of new power systems. The second is to strengthen the research and development and application of safe and stable power generation technologies. Efforts should be made to improve the safe and stable operation level of the waste-to-energy system, enhance its power supply guarantee and flexible adjustment ability, and provide strong support for the stable development of the waste-to-energy industry by promoting the wide application of safe, flexible and economical energy storage technology. The third is to build a technology research and development system for independent innovation. It is recommended to build high-quality scientific research institutions such as national key laboratories, engineering technology research centers and national energy R&D and innovation platforms, and improve the assessment and incentive mechanism of scientific and technological innovation through the overall planning of science and technology, education and human resources, so as to stimulate innovation vitality and promote the technological progress and industrial upgrading of the waste-to-energy industry.
Third, deepen interdisciplinary research and talent training. The first is to promote the deep integration of upstream and downstream industrial technologies. Policy support is indispensable for the special industry of waste-to-energy incineration, and incentives such as subsidies and tax incentives can attract and retain outstanding cross-cutting talents. The second is to strengthen the construction of disciplines. It is not only necessary to train professionals in universities, but also to provide them with rich practical opportunities to continuously accumulate experience in practical applications. The third is to improve cross-field communication and cooperation channels. By strengthening exchanges and cooperation between different fields, more people can understand and master the knowledge and skills of waste disposal and new power system construction, and realize the deep integration and development of the industry.
Finally, accelerate the improvement of relevant supporting policies and safeguard mechanisms. The first is to build a green, low-carbon, competitive and dynamic industrial system, promote the market-oriented reform of monopoly competitive links, further liberalize the power grid construction business, and stimulate market vitality. The second is to improve the advanced and efficient industry governance system. Strengthen the leading role of power planning, give full play to the guiding role of market mechanisms, and ensure safe and reliable supply in the process of power transformation. Create a fair market environment, rationally use administrative adjustment means, and strengthen the overall coordination and supervision of power planning, construction, operation, trading, pricing and other links. The third is to solve the financing problems of small and medium-sized enterprises. By enriching the medium and long-term loans of enterprises and expanding direct financing channels, we can meet the long-term financing needs of waste-to-energy enterprises and provide necessary financial support for their development.
Chen Feiyu is a professor at the School of Economics and Management at China University of Mining and Technology, and Li Shanshan is an associate professor at the School of Economics and Management at Anhui University of Science and Technology