Free Waste Energy Recovery And Repurposing: Essay Example

1. Why could waste energy recovery and repurposing be called a “first fuel” option?
Waste energy recovery and repurposing supports the idea of green energy. Using green energy is a first fuel option as this will positively impact the world; economically and environmentally. Several industries and organizations have the ability to recover and repurpose waste energy. First fuel means that any organization should first carry out an evaluation of their business areas where they can identify energy saving opportunities. This is looking for environmentally friendly ways of improving energy efficiency. Organizations such as First Fuel offer other organizations a chance to improve energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption, by doing an “energy audit” which will overall hugely impact both the economy and environment. Using any recommended first fuel option will also benefit the organization implementing any kind of energy recovery or repurposing, by reducing operational energy costs.
(ii) Describe an existing commercial application of waste energy repurposing that doesnot come from the mining and mineralogical sector
Food waste repurposing to renewable energy is an existing commercial application of waste energy repurposing. Dairy farmers are actively utilizing food waste in their on farm anaerobic digesters. In a report submitted by the innovation center for U.S Dairy, in order to repurpose 100% of food waste, a business model which will allow a sustainable bio economy for food. In Massachusetts, various institutions and businesses were banned from discard their waste in landfills; instead add this food waste to anaerobic digesters, together with cow manure. The digester is able to turn that waste to over $70,000 worth of fertilizer to further grow more food. The anaerobic digesters also provide 3.7 million kWh of power, reduces greenhouse gas emissions by over 5,500 tons. With over 200 farms currently using the digesters, there is more than 19 million tons of food waste that are repurposed every year.

Work cited:

"USDA | OCE | U.S. Food Waste Challenge | Participants | Dairy Power." USDA | OCE | U.S. Food Waste Challenge | Participants | Dairy Power. Web. 23 Mar. 2015.
Real Prospects for Energy Efficiency in the United States. Washington, D.C: National Academies Press, 2009. Internet resource.
Shemkus, Sarah. The Guardian. 28 Apr. 2014. Web. 23 Mar. 2015.
Waste to Energy at Suny Cobleskill. , 2011. Internet resource.