Combined binary and gasifier-based power generation from biomass and biowaste in Malaysia

Abstract

Growing environmental concerns due to emission of greenhouse gas from the use of nonrenewable resources can be reduced with the aid of renewable resources, which are considered as an alternative fuel in the absence of fossil fuel in the future. Biomass, one of the renewable resources, is supposed to play an important role in energy sectors because it is the second cheapest energy source among the renewable resources. Apart from generating electricity by using the current biomass technology, such as combustion, gasification, or pyrolysis, a combination of binary and gasification can be one of the effective ways to harvest energy from biomass and to secure the energy production. In term of biomass, Malaysia is blessed with a plenty of renewable energy resources including solar, biomass, and hydro. Hence, a combined binary and biomass power generation can be a promising source of energy generation. In this work, a techno-economic feasibility study on a binary and gasifier-based power generation system from biomass and municipal waste is conducted. The study is conducted to determine the suitability of the system development in Malaysia based on the current resources available. From the results obtained, it is found that the estimated amount of electricity generated from palm empty fruit bunch and municipal waste is 369.65 GWh/yr and 21 262.327 84 GWh/yr, respectively, using combined binary and gasifier-based power generation. Thus, a combined binary and gasifier-based power generation from biomass and biowaste is feasible to be developed in Malaysia.