Simulator SIMUR
Municipal waste management is a field that has experienced a rapid evolution over the last few decades. There is no single, clear solution in the searching of more efficient and sustainable waste management models (nor of the instruments conforming them). For that reason, it is necessary to evaluate waste management models using a common analytical methodology. This methodology has to determinate the grade of accommodation of each waste management to several environmental and service criteria and also adjusts the management to the new municipal requirements or the legislative objectives.
SIMUR is a common analysis tool based on a global vision of the waste management and its consequences from a lifecycle perspective. The tool permits the development of environmental profiles and diagnosis of the existent waste management and also of projected or future scenarios. The simulator is able to model any collection and treatment option that nowadays is used (including multiple collection systems or plants technologies), accommodating different scales of management (national, regional, municipal, etc.)
BASIC CHARACTERISTICS, STRUCTURE AND OPERATIONS OF THE SIMULATOR
Waste management simulation throughout the entire cycle |
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Structure and tools |
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Definition of the management model |
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CaIculation of balances and management indicators and impacts |
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Applications of SIMUR
General:
- Evaluation of real or existent scenarios.
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Evaluation of future scenarios or specific modifications to the current model.Comparison of management models both existent and planned.Detection of malfunctions and improvement requirements of the management models.Verification of compliance with the settled targets (total selective collection or for materials, total material valorisation or for materials, biodegradables sent to landfill reduction, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, energy consumption, etc.)
Specifics:
- Obtain information from different management models, then compare their outputs to define proposed strategies at different levels (national, CCAA, regional, municipal, etc.).
- Include the results of the simulation regarding consumption and emissions management in the inventory for Sustainable Energy Action Plans or Local Climate Change Mitigation Plans.
- Include the waste management results in the diagnostics in the framework of municipal environmental audit to carry out Local Agenda 21.
- Assess current and future management scenarios to support decision making to develop model modifications and to justify future strategies in municipal collection. Such studies have also been framed in general strategic plans at the municipal level.
- Assess the current management and future scenarios in the framework of Environmental Sustainability Reporting that are required in the Strategic Environmental Assessment Process of plans and programs.
- Design and assess of Eco-neighbourhoods.
Case Studies and Applications
REFERENCES
- Nohales, G; Rueda, S.; Vila, M. Modelización de sistemas de gestión de residuos. Revista Residuos Año nº 15, Nº 83, 2005 , págs. 26-43
- Agencia de Residuos de Catalunya. Informe de Sostenibilidad Ambiental. Programa de Gestión de Residuos Municipales de Catalunya PROGREMIC 2007-2012.
- Xunta de Galicia. Informe de Sostenibilidad Ambiental. Programa de Gestión de Residuos Municipales de Galicia 2010-2020.
- Evaluación ambiental de distintos modelos de gestión de Residuos en España. Aplicación del SIMUR. MAGRAMA.
- Vila, M. El SIMUR: una nueva herramienta para la modelización y evaluación de gestión de residuos. Jornada de reflexión sobre modelos de recogida de residuos municipales a Catalunya. Agencia de Residuos de Catalunya, 26 i 27 de abril de 2005, Barcelona.
- Vila, M. Modeling waste management systems. The Interpretation of Life Cycle Thinking in the Waste Management Hierachy. ACR+, 5-6 July 2011, Brussels.
- Vila, M.Herramientas de Prevención y Evaluación Ambiental para la gestión de los residuos urbanos. Jornada Técnica sobre la prevención y el reciclaje de residuos. ATEGRUS, 14 Junio 2011, Bilbao.
- Vídeotutorial SIMUR [Català]
- Waste Projects BCNecologia
Simulator SIMUR
<<SIMUR is simulator software that models different options of waste collection and treatment. It creates an environmental profile and a diagnosis of the existing waste management and it permits to simulate future or planned scenarios>>