The potential of rice husks for electrical energy generation in Cambodia

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the electrical potential of rice husk as a viable fuel source for electricity generation in Cambodia. The rice husk potential in Cambodia for each year was determined by analyzing statistical data on rice output from 2000 to 2021. The results indicate a significant 120% improvement in the capacity of rice husk to be transformed into power during a span of 22 years. On average, about 5.4% per year. Annual husk potential was calculated using 2019 statistical data. In 2019, there is a potential of about 1,741 million tons of husks, equivalent to about 864,408 tons of coal, which provides electricity and a potential of about 6,483 GWh and 740,075 MW. This potential can be turned into fuel to use rice husk as a fuel to convert into local electricity and contribute to reducing coal consumption and negative environmental impacts in Cambodia. Despite the carbon emissions associated with rice husk, its overall positive impact surpasses that of coal-fired power plants. In this paper, however, the economic analysis of rice husk for electricity generation is not studied.