Simplified description

 

The principle of NERUDA optimization tool is based on an assumption, that every waste producer desides how deal with his waste in the most economical way. Potential construction sites for new waste-to-energy sites are suggested. Their key parameter is the amount of possible heat sold for different periods of the year and its price. The heat price estimate is based on the current prices of heat produced from fossil fuels.

  

Using techno-economic models, the dependence of required gate-fee on the capacity of the plant for each of the localities is evaluated. In a similar way, this dependance is also evaluated for MBT plants.

 

The data on existing WtE plants, landfills, MBT plants and plants processing RDF are input into the calculation. The main parameters are their capacity and the gate-fee.

 

• NERUDA tool also requires a comprehensive model of the road and railway network, which is used to estimate the unit cost of the waste transport. This is a collection (transport) optimization problem. The tool can be used for the optimal proposal of placement, capacity and type of waste transfer stations.

  

 

Probabilistic programming approach - the calculation takes into account uncertain parameters, which can not be quantified with certainty (e.g. acceptable heat price, waste heating value, estimate of future development, etc.). These parameters are input as intervals, while in each calculation, a random value is chosen from these intervals.

 

• At a chosen scenario, NERUDA tool performs a large number of calculations. The results come out as intervals again. It is possible to determine the probability distribution within these intervals.