Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Biomass Power Generation
Q 1. What is biomass?
Ans.
Biomass is organic material of recent origin that can be used as a source of energy. It generally
includes crops and other plants, as well as agricultural, forest, sawdust and agro-industrial waste.
Q 2. What is biomass power?
Ans.
Electricity that is produced as a result of utilizing surplus biomass sources into energy is considered
biomass power. Biomass combusted in a boiler produces steam. This steam drives a turbine generator that produces electricity. This electricity will be fed into the high voltage transmission grid to be transported to end-users.
Q 3. Why produce power from biomass?
Ans.
Generating power through the use of biomass represents the cost-effective and cleanest way to
provide renewable electricity in biomass potential regions with high levels of biomass resources and its processing activity. Furthermore, use of this resource helps become more energy independent and use of a locally derived fuel provides employment and direct economic benefit to local communities.
Q 4. What is the potential of power generation from biomass?
Ans.
The estimated power potential from surplus agro residues in the country is about 17,000 MW. In addition about 5000 MW of power can be produced, if the sugar mills in the country switch over to modern techniques of cogeneration.
Q 5. Do biomass power generating units help combat global warming?
Ans.
Generating power through the use of biomass represents the cost-effective and cleanest way to
provide renewable electricity in biomass potential regions with high levels of biomass resources and its processing activity. Furthermore, use of this resource helps become more energy independent and use of a locally derived fuel provides employment and direct economic benefit to local communities.
Q 6. What are the economic benefits of biomass power generation facilities?
Ans.
Biomass power generating units produce a significant economic benefit to the area surrounding the plant. A 10 MW biomass power project can create approximately employment for 100 workers during the 18-month construction phase, 25 full-time workers employed in the operation of the facility, and 35 persons in the collection, processing, and transportation of biomass material.
Q 7. What are the types of biomass used in a biomass power generation facility?
Ans.
The principal source of biomass are rice husk, woody biomass such as Julie flora, casurina, other agro residues such as stalks/cobs/shells, sugarcane trash, cotton stalks, mustard stalks, groundnut shells etc.
Q 8. How long does it take to develop a biomass power project?
Ans.
If there are no issues in fuel collection , investors and fund, then it is possible to develop a project in a fast track mode in 18 months period.
Q 9. What is the average estimated (i) capital cost, (ii) cost of electricity generation and (iii) PLF for Biomass Power and bagasse Co-generation Project ?
Ans.
The capital cost of installation of bagasse based co-generation projects is in the range of Rs. 4.5 to Rs. 5.0 Crore/MW depending upon technical, financial and operating parameters. Costs of generation are expected to vary from Rs. 3.25 to 3.75/kwh, depending upon the plant load factor, and interest on term loans. The PLF of bagasse cogen projects is about 45% - 55%. In case of biomass power plants, the capital cost of installation are Rs.4.5 to 5.0 Crore/MW, depending upon boiler
pressure and capacity, costs of generation around Rs. 3.50 to Rs. 4.00/kwh. The PLF of biomass power projects is about 70% - 75%.
Q 10. Is EPC contract a better approach for implementing biomass projects?
Ans.
EPC approach is suitable, when the project owner/developer/investor is not having core expertise in biomass project development. But, in general EPC contract is 10 to 20 % more expensive than separate procurement and management. The exact approach to be selected depends on several aspects of the project and it is difficult to generalize.