Short answer

Incorporate multi-objective optimisation and principles of industrial symbiosis into the design of systems that manage waste and produce energy to achieve greater economic, environmental, and social benefits.

Field: Resource Management
Source: Smart Cities (2024)
Method: Multi-objective optimisation modelling combined with the Bayesian Best-Worst Method for decision-maker weight elicitation.
Evidence: Strong effect

A multi-objective optimisation model integrating urban and industrial waste streams can significantly enhance the production of renewable energy and hydrogen while improving economic viability and reducing environmental impact. This resource management research insight is drawn from a 2024 study published in Smart Cities. Using Multi-objective optimisation modelling combined with the bayesian best-worst method for decision-maker weight elicitation., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Incorporate multi-objective optimisation and principles of industrial symbiosis into the design of systems that manage waste and produce energy to achieve greater economic, environmental, and social benefits.

Study

Resource ManagementRecentStrong effect

Urban-Industrial Symbiosis Model Optimizes Waste-to-Energy and Hydrogen Production

Smart Cities · 2024

Key Findings

01The model substantially boosts energy and hydrogen production.
02The proposed system is economically viable.
03The system reduces the carbon footprint associated with fossil fuels and landfilling.
04The system contributes to job creation.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When designing new industrial facilities or retrofitting existing ones, consider how waste streams from urban or other industrial sources can be integrated to generate energy or valuable by-products like hydrogen.

Project actions

01Consider how different waste streams can be combined in your design.
02Think about the economic, environmental, and social impacts of your design choices.

Method & Evidence

AimTo develop and validate a multi-objective network design model for urban-industrial symbiosis that optimises the location of industrial plants for waste-to-energy and hydrogen production, considering economic, environmental, and social parameters.

MethodMulti-objective optimisation modelling combined with the Bayesian Best-Worst Method for decision-maker weight elicitation.

ProcedureA network design model was formulated to incorporate anaerobic digestion, cogeneration, photovoltaic, and hydrogen production technologies. The Bayesian Best-Worst Method was used to determine the weights for sustainability aspects. The model was then applied to a real-world case study and subjected to sensitivity analysis and ϵ-constraint exploration.

ContextUrban and industrial waste management, renewable energy production, hydrogen production, industrial symbiosis.

Variables

IV["Types and quantities of waste streams","Availability of technologies (anaerobic digestion, PV, etc.)","Economic parameters (costs, revenues)","Environmental parameters (carbon footprint)","Social parameters (job creation)"]

DV["Net present value (economic viability)","Energy production (kWh)","Hydrogen production (kg)","Carbon footprint reduction (kg CO2 eq.)"]

CV["Geographical location and its constraints","Decision-maker preferences (weights for objectives)"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Integrates multiple, often competing, objectives into a single model.
+Utilizes a real-world case study for validation.
+Employs a robust method (Bayesian Best-Worst) for decision-maker input.

Limitations

The complexity of the mathematical model might be difficult to fully replicate, and real-world data collection for such a system can be extensive.

Reliability & validity

The study's validity is supported by its application to a real-world case study and sensitivity analysis. Reliability is enhanced by the use of established optimisation techniques and a structured method for incorporating expert judgment.

Think critically

How might the 'social parameters' such as job creation be quantitatively measured and weighted against economic and environmental factors in a design project?

Design Principles

"Integrate diverse waste streams and production processes within a symbiotic network to maximize resource utilization and minimize environmental impact."

This research offers a sophisticated approach to designing integrated systems that leverage waste as a resource. By considering economic, environmental, and social factors simultaneously, it provides a framework for creating more sustainable and efficient industrial ecosystems.

What This Means for Your Design

This study shows how to design smart systems that use waste from cities and factories to make energy and hydrogen, making things cheaper, cleaner, and creating jobs.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when designing systems that involve waste valorization, energy generation, or industrial symbiosis to support your design decisions and justify your approach.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The research by Neri et al. (2024) provides a robust framework for designing integrated urban-industrial symbiotic systems, demonstrating how to optimize waste-to-energy and hydrogen production. Their multi-objective model, which considers economic, environmental, and social factors, offers valuable insights for developing sustainable industrial solutions that minimize carbon footprints and maximize resource efficiency, which can inform the strategic planning and justification of design choices in similar projects.

Source

Smart Cities

Enhancing Waste-to-Energy and Hydrogen Production through Urban–Industrial Symbiosis: A Multi-Objective Optimisation Model Incorporating a Bayesian Best-Worst Method

journal · 2024

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about urban-industrial symbiosis model optimizes waste-to-energy and hydrogen production?: Incorporate multi-objective optimisation and principles of industrial symbiosis into the design of systems that manage waste and produce energy to achieve greater economic, environmental, and social benefits. Evidence: Smart Cities (2024).
Why does "Urban-Industrial Symbiosis Model Optimizes Waste-to-Energy and Hydrogen Production" matter for design?: This research offers a sophisticated approach to designing integrated systems that leverage waste as a resource. By considering economic, environmental, and social factors simultaneously, it provides a framework for creating more sustainable and efficient industrial ecosystems.
How can designers apply this research?: Incorporate multi-objective optimisation and principles of industrial symbiosis into the design of systems that manage waste and produce energy to achieve greater economic, environmental, and social benefits.
What were the main findings?: The model substantially boosts energy and hydrogen production.. The proposed system is economically viable.. The system reduces the carbon footprint associated with fossil fuels and landfilling.. The system contributes to job creation.
What research method was used?: Multi-objective optimisation modelling combined with the Bayesian Best-Worst Method for decision-maker weight elicitation..
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2024 journal from Smart Cities.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing new industrial facilities or retrofitting existing ones, consider how waste streams from urban or other industrial sources can be integrated to generate energy or valuable by-products like hydrogen.
What are the limitations?: The model's sensitivity to input parameter changes and the complexity of real-world implementation may present challenges.