The Background
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is dedicated to bringing innovations in health, development, and learning to the global community. The Water, Sanitation and Hygiene division of the Foundation was keen on exploring possibilities to implement solutions in India that could convert waste, especially non sewer fecal sludges or fecal sludge and municipal waste (a problem) into energy (an opportunity).
The foundation (client) was looking to fund innovative solutions in the domain of non-sewer fecal sludge to high value energy products. In this context, they approached EAI to undertake a study.
The Solution
- Identification of Prospective Companies
EAI team along with the Gates Foundation visited a wide range of companies, research organizations, academia and industry experts to understand the potential and challenges in deriving energy from sewage waste, municipal solid waste and mixed waste.
EAI then provided a detailed analysis of the companies visited and provided recommendations for the possible grant or investment opportunities and strong partners to the client.
- Technology Landscape Analysis
EAI also assisted the foundation by preparing a technical and process document which detailed:
- The diverse pathways for waste to energy in India and the characteristics of each pathway.
- The optimum size of the waste-based power plants and the economically feasible feedstock costs for both kW size plants and MW size plants
- Potential for carbon credit financing