University of Borås has
sought a partnership with the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) for
dissemination of knowledge on waste treatment, resource recovery as
well as energy generation from waste materials. A delegation comprising
of Prof. Mohammad Taherzadeh, Professor in Biotechnology at School of
Engineering, University of Borås, and Mr. Olle Engstrom, Chairman of
the Board of Boras Lokatrafik AB, Sweden, stated this while delivering
a presentation on the “Knowledge and technology transfer on waste
refinery between Sweden and Thailand".
Prof. Taherzadeh stated that the University of Borås had a long
experience in the implementation of waste management, production of
energy and extraction of materials from waste. He suggested that a
network comprising of University of Borås and the AIT can involve
various municipalities and universities in Thailand to help them
develop knowledge. “I hope that AIT can become a coordinator of this
type of activity and encourage universities and municipalities in
Thailand to develop these technologies,” Prof Taherzadeh
remarked.
He elaborated on how the University of Borås had developed technology
on waste refining by which waste can be converted to energy. Waste can
also be refined through biological processes into biopolymers, ethanol,
and biogas, while recycling of waste can yield paper, metal, glass and
plastics. Borås follow a system of source-separation in black and white
bags. The waste in white bags is a source of heat for households, while
the waste in black bags is processed for producing biogas for cars and
buses. About 300 tons of waste materials are burned every day in two
separate incinerators to produce electricity and heat in Borås
resulting in the production of 10 MW electricity, 40 MW heat, and a few
MW of chill for hospitals and shopping centers.
Mr. Olle Engstrom introduced the city of Borås and highlighted the
attempt to create a sustainable society. This activity involves a
partnership of the city of Borås, University of Borås, SP - Technical
Research Institute of Sweden, and a local energy company, Boras Energi
och Miljo. Mr. Engstrom is also chairman of the board of Boras
Lokaltrafik AB, a local bus company in Borås, which is using biogas
from waste to run all their buses in Borås. All 39 buses inside the
city are run on biogas. The aim is to have Borås free from fossil fuels
from 2013 onwards.
Courtesy a waste treatment plan implemented from 1986-2008, none of the
household waste in Borås goes towards landfill. 27 per cent of
household waste is recycled, 30 per cent undergoes biological treatment
and 43 per cent is incinerated. “What we have done in Sweden can also
be done here and elsewhere in Asia,” he concluded. He emphasized that
it is important to take into account the local situation and cultures
can be different even within a country like Indonesia where they have
initiated a similar project.
Earlier Prof. Sudip K. Rakshit, Vice President (Research) welcomed the
delegates and highlighted the close ties between AIT and University of
Borås. The University of Borås is also the coordinator of the Erasmus
Mundus program in which AIT is partner. Later in the afternoon, both
delegates worked in the small group with AIT faculty and senior staff
members for deliberations and future action.
Mr. Olle Engstrom, Chairman of the Board of Boras Lokatrafik AB,
Sweden, delivering a presentation on the “Knowledge and technology
transfer on waste refinery between Sweden and Thailand".