Tapping
Electricity from Biomass
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Today, human
activities related to agriculture, industry and the domestic sectors have become
largely energy consuming. Conventional energy production systems have not been
able to keep pace with the growing energy demands of society. In addition, the
conventional energy production systems, such as hydroelectric, thermal, nuclear
etc. cause large-scale destruction of our environmental quality. It is,
therefore essential to find alternate non-conventional energy producing systems,
which are cost-effective and environment-friendly.
An independent Rural Power Producer (IRPP) based on biomass gasification uses
locally available biomass-energy for generating electricity. This Project
Feasibility and Packaging Report explores the possibility of establishing one
such IRPP (a biomass gasifier) in Maruhole village, Chikkanayakanahalli Taluk,
Tumkur District, Karnataka.
Chikkanayakanahalli
taluk has a geographical area of 98,865 hectares and a population
of two lakhs. The area gets an average annual rainfall of 400-450 mm. The
forests in the taluk are degraded, with largely scrub vegetation. A large
proportion of the land is under different forms of wasteland (covering around
18% of the total geographical area of the taluk). Agriculture in the taluk is
mostly single-cropped with over 70% of the main workers engaged in it, wherever
the land productivity is not very high.
As in the case of most villages in India, people in Maruhole and adjoining
villages depend largely on agricultural activities for their livelihood. Semi
and full mechanisation of farming today has increased the dependence of farmers
on power. Unreliable and intermittent power supply has led farmers to opt out of
establishing small-scale agro-industries that could increase the value of
agricultural products.
The study is focussed on the possibility of setting up an IRPP in the five-acre
farmland (Vikas Gram) owned by Development Alternatives in Maruhole. Vikas Gram
has been a centre for training and demonstration of sustainable organic farming
techniques to the farmers in the surrounding area.
Biomass gasification
Biomass gasification-based power plants
utilise biomass to generate electricity. The waste heat generated in the process
can be utilised for any specific application such as drying, heating, or
desalination. Decentralised Energy Systems India Pvt. Ltd. or DESI Power’s
IRPPs (Independent Rural Power Producers) utilise a solid biomass gasifier to
generate producer gas or fuel gas, which (after cooling and cleaning) is burnt
in an internal combustion (dual-fuel / single fuel) engine coupled to an
alternator to produce power (or electricity).
When burnt in the atmosphere, biomass generates heat and emits carbon dioxide
gas mainly, with a small amount of gas left behind as the residue. On the other
hand, if biomass is exposed to a measured amount of air (oxygen) under
controlled conditions, producer gas is generated. The equipment for converting
biomass into producer gas through such a process is called a gasifier.
The producer gas contains about 18 % hydrogen, 20 % carbon monoxide, 2 %
methane, 12 % carbon dioxide and the rest is nitrogen. This gas, after cleaning
and cooling, can be fed into internal combustion engines to replace fossil fuels
such as diesel oil or petrol. In a dual-fuel internal combustion engine,
producer gas replaces about 80 % of the normal diesel consumption and 100 % of
the petrol consumption in a single fuel engine.
The primary objectives of the study were to:
n complete
a biomass assessment of 16 villages around Maruhole village to estimate
biomass availability and use;
n assess
the power situation and the load factor in the villages;
n explore
the possibility of setting up small scale agro-based micro-enterprises for
value addition of agricultural products; and to
n design
an energy plantation to provide surplus biomass.
Step by Step
Initial discussions were held with DESI Power
professionals on the plan of action for the study. Preliminary
inputs (in terms of information to be collected) were provided by DESI Power. A
questionnaire was then prepared to get information on people, ecosystem, biomass
availability and use, electricity load, etc from the villages. Household surveys
and village meetings were then conducted in the selected villages around the
proposed site for the IRPP - Maruhole. As there are no industries around
Maruhole, a survey of the industries (load assessment) was conducted at Huliyar
town 13 Km from Maruhole.
The secondary data was collected
from village records, electricity board, research reports etc. The collector
data was then analysed. The biomass estimates were obtained by using standard
biomass calculations. Information on setting up micro-enterprises such as coir
fibre manufacturing, copra making, groundnut dehusking, etc was collected for
increasing the value addition of agricultural products. A design that could not
only provide raw material for the gasifier, but also act as a load for the power
generated from the gasifier was prepared. Different options were then given for
setting up the IRPP at Maruhole.
The five-acre plot at the field
centre in Maruhole was designed as an energy-cum-horticulture plantation.
Outcome of the study
The estimates of the biomass availability in the
area and the use of biomass by the community have revealed a few interesting
facts. The main biomass sources identified in the area were firewood, prosopis,
coconut shell fronds as well as groundnut shells. The total biomass
availability in all the villages was found to be around 4933 tonnes
per year while the total biomass use by the villages was around 5603
tonnes per year. This suggests that the community in most of the 16
villages around Maruhole uses more than the available biomass. However, at
present, most of the coconut and groundnut is sold with the husk. The
individual village study revealed that some of the villages are just about meeting their requirements at
present.
Since the availablity of biomass
for the gasifier is limited, a few possibilities through which biomass could be
obtained from other sources were explored. Since most of the coconut and
groundnut were sold with the husk, if these sources were to be utilised then the
establishment of micro-enterprises such as coir industry, copra-making industry
and groundnut foundry was bound to be vital. It was found that establishing
these micro-enterprises could provide biomass for the IRPP and also act as a
load for the power plant. In addition, this would increase the value of the
agricultural products.
Biomass (such as coconut shells
and fronds) is an excellent source of raw material for the biomass gasifier. At
present, most of these sources are not being utilised by the villages around
Maruhole. Since coconut shells would provide a regular source of biomass for the
gasifier, a micro enterprise for the utilisation of the kernel (a copra
making unit) could be set up near the IRPP.
A modern mechanised copra dryer with a
capacity of 10,000 coconuts per batch (3 days) has been taken into
account for working out the theoretical economics
of setting up a copra
making micro-enterprise unit in Maruhole. The profit works out to around Rs 30
lakhs annually. The quantity of shells available for the gasifier per day
amounts to around 165 Kg. A 50kW gasifier with a 25kW engine requires around 250
Kg biomass per day. The deficit of coconut shells could be bridged by either
purchasing coconut shells from the market (at Rs 90-120 for 300 Kg) or setting
up another dryer with a capacity of drying around 5000 copras (or an additional
85 Kg of coconut shells). An integration of a 10,000 capacity copra unit along
with one coir decorticating unit and one coir pith briquetting unit will provide
for the entire biomass requirement of the gasifier.
Well-designed energy plantations
on wastelands and good agro-forestry methods will also provide various sources
of raw material for the biomass gasifier. A demonstrative energy-cum
horticultural plantation on a small piece of land at Maruhole has also been
designed.
The sustainability of the IRPP at
Maruhole depends largely on the establishment of micro-enterprises and improving
the natural resource base through properly designed energy plantations.
Conclusion
The PFPR has helped to explore
the possibilities of establishing an Independent Rural Power Producer in
Maruhole village, Chikkanayakanahalli Taluk, Tumkur District, Karnataka.
Though the biomass study revealed
that there was no surplus biomass available for the gasifier, an integrated
design of agricultural products based micro-enterprises would not only provide
biomass for the gasifier, but also an additional load for the power plant. There
is a considerable value addition to the agricultural products from this process.
A detailed study of the
micro-enterprise development has revealed that a design comprising a
copra-making enterprise, a coir fibre making enterprise and a coir pith
briquetting unit is the best option for establishing an IRPP in Maruhole.
The challenge lies in the
implementation of the design with the help of the community. This will only be
possible through the formation of co-operatives and self-help groups who are
keen to tap electricity from the rich renewable resource called biomass. q
Chaya Chengappa & V.A. Abraham
 DESI
Power |
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Decentralised
Energy Systems India Pvt. Ltd. (DESI Power) is
pioneering the building of commercial decentralised power plants based
on renewable energy in rural and small-scale industrial sectors to
supply reliable electricity, and thus enable value addition of local
resources for creating local sustainable livelihoods.
To spearhead these activities we require a
Chief Executive Officer
You should be a dynamic young
engineer of proven technical and managerial capability in the power or
energy sector, with a strong professional and moral motivation to
bring about changes in rural India. You will work with a highly
experienced team to establish a market of hundreds of power plants per
year and manage the implementation activities.
Training Coordinator Engineers
We also need a young,
enthusiastic and experienced Training Coordinator to take charge of
our training activities for our own staff as well as the rural
partners. We consider training to be vital for the success of our
programme and are therefore developing a state-of-the-art multimedia
interactive training package side by side with conventional training
tools.
We also need a number of thermal and electrical Engineers preferably
with Masters degree with 1-5 years’ experience. An innovative and
creative mind is essential.
Walk in or send your Resume to:
Decentralised Energy Systems
India Pvt. Ltd.
139/B, 10th Main, RMV
Extension, Bangalore - 560 080
Tel: 336
0202; Fax: 336 0199; Email: netpro1@vsnl.com
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