Biomass Power Generation Feasibility Study

Objective

To hire the services of consultant for feasibility study regarding biomass power generation in the Punjab

Biomass

The crop residue and wooden plants (having no timber value) are the largest sources of biomass energy and can be used as fuel as well as for producing gas. By burning crop residue & wooden plants, steam is generated which is used for producing steam through with boilers and electricity in steam turbines.

Biomass energy resources include crop residue left in the field after harvesting such as wheat and rice straw, cotton sticks and corn stovers, and crop waste generated by processing industries (such as rice husk and bagasse) etc. The energy crops for production of biofuels are out of scope of this study.

Potential

It has been estimated that 50 million tons of residue/waste is produced every year from major crops (including 6.88 million tons of sugarcane bagasse). This bagasse is being used for power generation by the sugar industry; consequently, the remaining 43 million tons of crop waste is available in the province. Excluding domestic consumption and commercial usage, the net available resource potential of four crops i.e. (wheat, cotton, rice & corn) for biomass power generation is estimated to be about 10.942 million tons.

Supply Chain Mechanism

There is large variability in crop residues generation and their uses in different areas of the province depending on the cropping intensity, productivity and crops grown. The cost of crop residues increases with increase in the quantity to be collected, because of the long distance over which these have to be transported. Therefore, package of practices / system needs to be developed for biomass management from field to collection point is essential.

Justification

Energy generation from crops biomass is an innovative approach in the province of the Punjab and required to be studied thoroughly according to our conditions to improve the socio-economic conditions through the best use of crops residue, wastes, and reduction in field losses without compromising the sustainability of crops/livestock production, soil health and environment.

Agriculture Department has identified crop biomass resource potential in Punjab through a survey but lacks the expertise of estimating exact biomass potential, proposing supply chain mechanism, modeling to forecast prices of crops biomass and to propose type of machinery and equipment, specifications, list of best manufacturers of plants and cost as well as energy costs (Rs. per KWh) of biomass power plants. Government of the Punjab, through Agriculture Department and in association with Energy Department, has planned to develop power generation units at selected sites in Punjab as pilot projects. The Energy Department will also coordinate with Agriculture Department to execute proposed project activities and facilitate the private sector /investors to establish biomass power generation units and complete required formalities for the purpose.

The services of consultant are required to conduct bankable feasibility study on assessing the supply of the biomass fuel, its quantity & supply chain, specifications & size of the power generation machinery, its installation, operation and maintenance etc. involving financial implications.

Total Cost: Rs. 9.600 million
Gestation Period: December 2013 to September 2014