Potential assessment of a hybrid multigeneration system from waste-solar energy: case study Mae Moh District, Lampang Province

Abstract

This study presents the energy, economic, and environmental implications of a hybrid multigeneration system from waste-solar energy in the Mae Moh District of Lampang Province. The survey data imply a total municipal solid waste (MSW) generation of 17.85 Ton/d, with 31.63% of this being combustible waste. Combustion heat is used to produce hot fluid at 110 °C, supplied to a two-stage organic Rankine cycle generating 55.57 kW_e, an absorption chiller of 91.06 kW, a drying room of 207.39 kW, and a solar photovoltaic rooftop system of 847 kW_p. The hybrid multigeneration system shows a total energy output of 5,211.44 kWh/d, a net power output of 2,823.86 kWh/d, and an overall efficiency of 18.34%. A levelized energy cost of 5.38 Baht/kWh, a net present value of 57,710,801.41 Baht, an internal rate of return of 7.97%, and a payback period of 9.63 y are achieved from an economic perspective. The environmental impact assessment shows a climate change impact of 6.01E-02 kg CO₂ eq/kWh, human toxicity of 5.04E-02 kg 1,4-DB eq/kWh, and mineral resource depletion of 1.74E-02 kg Fe eq/kWh. These impacts are primarily driven from concrete, copper, steel, and gypsum in building construction.