Promoting circular energy metabolisms through electricity generation from landfills: case study Cuenca, Ecuador

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Edgar Antonio Barragán http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2254-2524
Pablo D. Arias http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3080-4934
Julio Terrados http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1720-7545

Abstract

The provision of resource and energy for the cities is the goal for the urban planning team. 50% or more of the people is living on the metropolitan area of the cities and this trend is expected to increase. Under the urban metabolism approach to cities they can be considered as an artificial ecosystem that requires materials, nutrients, water and energy. Obtaining these resources causes enormous pressure on the environment, not only by the requirements of raw material but by production of contaminants. This paper propose a new behavior of recovering resources arises, changing the urban model from a linear to a circular metabolism. One technology that meets these requirements is to use biogas from landfills to generation of electricity. Reducing purchasing of energy import to the city and emissions of greenhouse gases are reduced too. The analysis of Pichacay Landfill, located in the city of Cuenca, Ecuador, was prepared.