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Waste to Watt: Biomass and Waste Valorization to Fuels

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "A4: Bio-Energy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 July 2025 | Viewed by 731

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Environmental Engineering, Democritus University of Thrace, 67132 Xanthi, Greece
Interests: anaerobic digestion; biogas production

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue, “Waste to Watt: Biomass and Waste Valorization to Fuels”, delves into the innovative conversion of biomass and waste materials into sustainable fuels. It explores strategies and technologies that support the expansion of biogas, promoting sustainability and energy security. This issue welcomes original research articles and reviews that cover a wide range of topics, including the enhancement of biogas yield from various feedstocks, biogas upgrading techniques, and advanced biochemical and thermochemical conversion processes.

In addition to these technical aspects, this Special Issue also seeks contributions that explore case studies and pilot projects from various regions, illustrating the successful implementation and scalability of biogas technologies. These real-world examples provide valuable insights into practical challenges and solutions, showcasing how different regions have achieved notable progress in biogas production.

Furthermore, this Special Issue aims to address the broader economic and policy frameworks necessary for the expansion of biogas production. It seeks to identify barriers and opportunities in the current landscape, emphasizing the critical role of supportive legislation, financial incentives, and innovative business models. Investment in research and development (R&D) is highlighted as a key driver for fostering innovation and market growth. By integrating these diverse perspectives, “Waste to Watt: Biomass and Waste Valorization to Fuels” aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state and future potential of biogas and bioenergy, contributing to a more sustainable and secure energy landscape.

Dr. Vasileios Diamantis
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • anaerobic digestion
  • biogas
  • bioenergy
  • waste to energy
  • biomethane

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

22 pages, 1068 KiB  
Article
Quantifying Resource and Energy Losses from Waste Fires in Poland: A Barrier to Circular Economy Transition
by Katarzyna Grzesik, Magdalena Zabochnicka, Robert Oleniacz and Ryszard Kozakiewicz
Energies 2025, 18(11), 2731; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18112731 - 24 May 2025
Viewed by 233
Abstract
Waste fires are significant sources of atmospheric pollutants that contribute to environmental degradation and public health risks. They also lead to considerable losses in recyclable materials and energy. In Poland, waste fire incidents have increased in recent years, peaking in 2018–2019. This study [...] Read more.
Waste fires are significant sources of atmospheric pollutants that contribute to environmental degradation and public health risks. They also lead to considerable losses in recyclable materials and energy. In Poland, waste fire incidents have increased in recent years, peaking in 2018–2019. This study quantifies the volume and mass of waste burned and assesses the associated losses in material and energy potential. A detailed incident inventory was compiled, including waste types and burned volumes, which were converted to mass values. This study estimates the potential fate of this waste under proper waste management scenarios. Recyclable materials, such as plastics, metals, paper, textiles, and rubber, are permanently removed from circulation, increasing the reliance on virgin resources. Energy losses were calculated using the lower heating values of each waste type, assuming a full energy recovery potential. In 2018, large and very large fires resulted in an estimated 170,000–1,016,640 m3 of burned waste, with corresponding energy losses of 495–2970 TJ. In 2019, estimates ranged from 68,000–410,000 m3 and 139–831 TJ. Plastics, refuse-derived fuel (RDF), and tires accounted for the majority of these losses. These findings highlight the relevance of waste fires in undermining recycling or energy recovery efforts and slowing progress toward a circular economy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Waste to Watt: Biomass and Waste Valorization to Fuels)
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