Economic and Environmental Feasibility of Cogeneration from Food Waste: A Case Study in São Paulo City

Economic development has spurred a significant demand for energy; however, the depletion of natural resources has prompted society to explore alternative avenues for generating renewable energy. Renewable sources enhance energy efficiency and mitigate environmental harm, exempli-fied by the production of biogas from organic waste. Recognizing the imperative for renewable energy, General Electric (GE) has engineered a biogas-adapted generator capable of converting waste into energy. This commercially available biogas generator offers a cost-effective solution for sustainable energy production. Its efficacy has been demonstrated across various countries, including India, Austria, and China. Brazil, with its vast and varied climate, serves as a fitting candidate for showcasing the economic feasibility of generating electricity from food waste using the aforementioned generator. This paper presents a case study conducted at a food supply center in São Paulo. We developed a waste digester based on specifications provided by GE for the generator and subsequently assessed the cost of electricity production from food waste generated in the region. Our findings reveal an electricity cost of approximately 0.10 US$/kWh and a payback period within one year, underscoring the economic viability of biogas generation from food waste.