The Case Study of an Innovative Small Scale Biomass Waste Gasification Heat and Power Plant Contextualized in a Farm

Decentralized power generation, from renewables, is an attractive option for the future energy transition. Through a case study, the techno-economic feasibility to produce own power from distributed renewable to de-carbonize the operations of the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) was critically analysed. The case study was performed on one of the leading printing outfits of Sri Lanka. Solar photovoltaic (PV) and biomass gasification systems are the most cost-efficient and easy to operate technologies for grid-connected, small-scale power generation, at present, for the context. Grid integration has been found as a major challenge, in both technical and economic parameters of the project. The low capacity factor of solar PV and complexity of the supply chain for biomass power systems are critical to the respective technologies. A hybrid Solar PV-Biomass gasification power plant would have superior techno-economic performances with lower environmental impact than stand-alone systems. An equal share of the net power capacity between the technologies was obtained as the most suitable combination for the proposed hybrid power plant. A net carbon dioxide reduction of more than eighty percent of the operations of the SMEs is feasible. Socio-political factors also have a high impact on overall viability of such small-scale systems.

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Multi-Criteria Analysis, Evaluation and Modeling of Future Scenario for the Energy Generation Sector — A Case Study

Volume 2: Simple and Combined Cycles; Advanced Energy Systems and Renewables (Wind, Solar and Geothermal); Energy Water Nexus; Thermal Hydraulics and CFD; Nuclear Plant Design, Licensing and Construction; Performance Testing and Performance Test Codes; Student Paper Competition ◽

10.1115/power2014-32057 ◽

2014 ◽

Author(s):

Seyed Aliakbar Mirmohammadi ◽

Mohammad Reza Behi ◽

Alexander B. Suma ◽

Björn E. Palm

Keyword(s):

Renewable Energy ◽

Fossil Fuels ◽

Renewable Energy Sources ◽

Energy Generation ◽

Current Status ◽

Small Scale ◽

Biomass Waste ◽

University Of Technology ◽

Solid Biomass

Renewable energy continues to attract much interest due to the depletion of fossil fuels and unsettled political disputes. This study aims to evaluate the current status of energy generation on the campus of Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). Furthermore, it looks for ways for the TU/e to improve sustainability by finding and proposing alternative solutions. Therefore, a broad scope of various renewable energy sources (RES) has been investigated. From many aspects, the analysis of RES proves that biomass is the most appropriate source of renewable energy for the TU/e campus. Thus, the capability of harvestable biomass fuel in energy generation throughout a year has been investigated for this project, and it has been concluded that solid biomass waste from the campus can provide 1314 MWh heat load annually. In order to achieve as much energy from biomass as possible, a combined heat and power unit (CHP), in order to produce both heat and electricity for new student houses on the campus, has been modeled. Finally, the project results show that a small-scale CHP cycle is capable of producing 366 MWh electricity, as well as 772 MWh heat, annually.

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Potential Valorization of Organic Waste Streams to Valuable Organic Acids through Microbial Conversion: A South African Case Study

Catalysts ◽

10.3390/catal11080964 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 964

Author(s):

Sesethu Gift Njokweni ◽

Annica Steyn ◽

Marelize Botes ◽

Marinda Viljoen-Bloom ◽

Willem Heber van Zyl

Keyword(s):

Organic Acids ◽

South African ◽

Carboxylic Acids ◽

Organic Waste ◽

Agricultural Sector ◽

Small Scale ◽

Waste Streams ◽

Biomass Waste ◽

Carboxylate Platform

The notion of a “biobased economy” in the context of a developing country such as South Africa (SA) necessitates the development of technologies that utilize sustainable feedstocks, have simple and robust operations, are feasible at small scale and produce a variety of valuable bioproducts, thus fitting the biorefinery concept. This case study focuses on the microbial production of higher-value products from selected organic waste streams abundant in the South African agricultural sector using microbes adapted to utilize different parts of biomass waste streams. A ruminant-based carboxylate platform based on mixed or undefined anaerobic co-cultures of rumen microorganisms can convert the carbohydrate polymers in the lignocellulosic part of organic waste streams to carboxylic acids that can be upgraded to biofuels or green chemicals. Furthermore, yeast and fungi can convert the simpler carbohydrates (such as the sugars and malic acid in grape and apple pomace) to ethanol and high-value carboxylic acids, such as lactic, fumaric, succinic and citric acid. This review will discuss the combinational use of the ruminal carboxylate platform and native or recombinant yeasts to valorize biomass waste streams through the production of higher-value organic acids with various applications.

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