Closing the Loop Between Energy Production and Waste Management: A Conceptual Approach Towards Sustainable Development

Abstract

Interactions between technological solutions for managing waste and energy supply chains are multilateral and can vary significantly, depending on multiple criteria and different characteristics. This concept paper puts forward a conceptual framework for sustainable development based on the notion of “intelligence” for Waste-to-Energy (WtE) strategies. The pillars of intelligence are defined and the quadruple helix model for energy transitions based on waste management is established. The “smart” nodes of a WtE supply chain management are analytically presented and discussed. Nevertheless, the intelligent notion for a supply chain cannot stand on its own. Systematical support of a participatory process is needed via Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools and e-techniques to be promoted for collective facilitation and sustainable management. This process encompasses intelligent residents and professionals as producers of waste and smart managers to supervise the supply chain towards sustainable management of energy and waste resources. It is argued that the ICT participatory interface has a multiplying effect, especially when adopting the middle pathway approach in local and/or decentralized level towards smart energy production from waste. Innovative solutions to maximize waste efficiency through the collaborative power of ICT networks is critical to be deployed within local communities. These can be based on internet of things, big data, operational modeling, complex systems science, games and narratives, and social networks. The conceptual framework presented herein provides a basis for decision support towards sustainable development and interaction through a creative pathway of collaboration applicable to all the levels of potential synergies. Main conclusions and future challenges indicate that more research effort is required by the scientific community to leverage on the collaborative power of social networks and to efficiently apply ICT methods for adopting the “socially-oriented” middle pathway approach within communities’ empowerment. Only on this basis may the tale of two challenges have a happy end, both for energy transition and waste management.

Identifying and Evaluating Recirculation Strategies for Industry in the Nordic Countries

“…The results are consolidated based on other focus areas in the CIRCIT project such as product development [4], business model configuration [5], and information technology. The latter is of importance since trends of information and communications technology (ICT) improvement have been proven to be fruitful for adopting the "socially oriented" middle pathway approach for increased synergy, interaction and leverage on the collaborative power within waste management (local) networks [42]. Moreover, considering many criteria as foreseen in the framework requires populating categories with quantitative and semi-quantitative data in the future, for which digitization is expected to be an important contribution.…”

Community Empowerment Based on Local Potential: A Systematic Literature Review

“…In cluster 3, this relates to the decision topic described in (Vlachokostas, 2020) that the conceptual framework presented here provides the basis for supporting decisions towards sustainable development and interaction through creative collaboration pathways that apply to all levels of potential synergies. The main conclusions and future challenges suggest that more research efforts are needed by the scientific community to harness the collaborative power of social networks and to efficiently apply ICT methods to adopt a "socially oriented" middle lane approach in community empowerment.…”

Development of Energy Recovery from Waste in Slovakia Compared with the Worldwide Trend

“…According to Lee et al, various fractions of communal waste can be separated and recycled with consequent energy recovery [15]. Waste-to-energy systems can contribute to closing the loop in material flows and reducing environmental impacts (Vlachokotas, 2020) [16]. Ghazanfari (2023) constructed a structural and conceptual literature review which provides the most decisive determinants in the formation of circular strategies, outlines obstacles that hinder CE adoption, and formulates drivers and measures to overcome them [17].…”