Energy from Biomass in Mauritius: Overview of Research and Applications

Abstract

Viewing the increase in energy demand and bearing in consideration the associated pollution issues, a shift in energy paradigm from a monopolized conventional energy regime of fossil fuels to a non-conventional renewable energy mix is necessary in the Mauritian context. Besides achieving considerable waste reduction, the incineration and fermentation of renewable biomass feedstock can also generate revenues from energy production, known as waste-to-energy (WtE) and anaerobic digestion technology (ADT), respectively. In Mauritius, municipal solid wastes (MSW) typically include food and garden wastes, other green wastes and organic residues, different grades of paper and plastics, textiles, rubber, glass, metals, wood, process sludges and inerts. This chapter provides a succinct review of research studies and large-scale applications of the WtE sector and ADT in Mauritius. © Springer-Verlag London Limited 2012.