Energy Innovative of Waste to Energy Enhancement in Palestine/Hebron Case Study

Abstract

Hebron, a heavily populated and industrialized city in southern Palestine, is grappling with two critical challenges: ineffective waste management and ongoing energy shortages. The city generates approximately 450–500 tons of municipal solid waste daily, of which 55% is organic, while experiencing an energy shortfall of about 15%. This situation calls for a comprehensive and sustainable approach to address both issues. The study examines the city's current waste practices—primarily landfilling at the Al-Minya site, open waste burning, and minimal recycling—all of which present significant health and environmental hazards. A comparative evaluation of waste-to-energy (WtE) technologies is conducted, including incineration, gasification, anaerobic digestion, and plasma gasification. Incineration emerges as a practical option due to its capability to process a broad range of waste materials and its efficiency in reducing waste volume while producing usable heat and electricity. Nonetheless, the adoption of such technology in Hebron faces several barriers, including limited land availability, high operational costs, inadequate waste sorting at the source, and public concern over pollution. Despite these challenges, the integration of modern emission control systems and active community involvement could make incineration a key component in reducing landfill use and generating clean energy. The study suggests that, with coordinated institutional backing, appropriate funding, and public awareness initiatives, Hebron has the potential to lead in implementing a scalable WtE strategy aligned with Palestine’s sustainability and energy independence goals.