Abstract
Abstract
Five well-known biomass resources are used as feedstocks for biomass thermal power plants in the Philippines: rice husks (RH), sugarcane bagasse (SB), Napier grass (NG), coconut shells (CS), and Paraserianthes falcataria (PF). Given the complexity of socio-economic and biophysical systems and the multi-dimensionality of the sustainability goal, the best biomass feedstock was determined using TOPSIS (Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution), a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) that has gained popularity in the decision-making for sustainable energy. Sugarcane bagasse (SB), with a TOPSIS score of 0.5416, was found to be the best biomass feedstock for maximizing the benefits to people and the environment. It has a relatively high calorific value of 19.30 MJ/kg, an annual volume of 7.32 million tons, and can solely be used for energy production. The second-best option is Paraserianthes falcataria (PF), but it is not widely grown because it is only used in the construction and furniture industries, and its demand is very limited. However, because it grows so quickly, it has the greatest potential for energy generation. Coconut shells are the third best option. It is the biomass feedstock with the highest energy content at 20.88 MJ/kg, with a TOPSIS score of 0.4090. Coconut shells are waste materials from coconut fruits used to make activated carbon and are primarily used for cooking, heating, and industrial use. Because coconut shells are widely available, particularly in remote communities, it may be able to meet its electricity needs using a micro-scale biomass power technology that requires only a small amount of coconut shells.