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Techno-Economic Assessment of the Use of Syngas Generated from Biomass to Feed an Internal Combustion Engine

Author

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  • J. R. Copa

    (Faculty of Engineering, Campus of Guaratingueta, Bioenergy Research Institute (IPBEN), Laboratory of Energy Systems Optimization (LOSE), Av. Dr. Ariberto Pereira da Cunha, Sao Paulo State University, 333 Portal das Colinas Guaratingueta, SP 12516-410, Brazil)

  • C. E. Tuna

    (Faculty of Engineering, Campus of Guaratingueta, Bioenergy Research Institute (IPBEN), Laboratory of Energy Systems Optimization (LOSE), Av. Dr. Ariberto Pereira da Cunha, Sao Paulo State University, 333 Portal das Colinas Guaratingueta, SP 12516-410, Brazil)

  • J. L. Silveira

    (Faculty of Engineering, Campus of Guaratingueta, Bioenergy Research Institute (IPBEN), Laboratory of Energy Systems Optimization (LOSE), Av. Dr. Ariberto Pereira da Cunha, Sao Paulo State University, 333 Portal das Colinas Guaratingueta, SP 12516-410, Brazil)

  • R. A. M. Boloy

    (Group of Entrepreneurship, Energy, Environment and Technology-GEEMAT, Mechanical Engineering Department, Federal Center of Technological Education of Rio de Janeiro-CEFET/RJ, Av. Maracanã, 229, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 20271-110, Brazil)

  • P. Brito

    (VALORIZA, Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, 7300-555 Portalegre, Portugal)

  • V. Silva

    (VALORIZA, Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, 7300-555 Portalegre, Portugal
    ForestWise, Collaborative Laboratory for Integrated Forest & Fire Management, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal)

  • J. Cardoso

    (VALORIZA, Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, 7300-555 Portalegre, Portugal
    Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-004 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • D. Eusébio

    (VALORIZA, Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, 7300-555 Portalegre, Portugal)

Abstract

The focus of this study is to provide a comparative techno-economic analysis concerning the deployment of small-scale gasification systems in dealing with various fuels from two countries, Portugal and Brazil, for electricity generation in a 15 kWe downdraft gasifier. To quantify this, a mathematical model was implemented and validated against experimental runs gathered from the downdraft reactor. Further, a spreadsheet economic model was developed combining the net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR) and the payback period (PBP) over the project’s lifetime set to 25 years. Cost factors included expenses related to electricity generation, initial investment, operation and maintenance and fuel costs. Revenues were estimated from the electricity sales to the grid. A Monte Carlo sensitivity analysis was used to measure the performance of the economic model and determine the investment risk. The analysis showed an electricity production between 11.6 to 15 kW, with a general system efficiency of approximately 13.5%. The viability of the projects was predicted for an NPV set between 18.99 to 31.65 k€, an IRR between 16.88 to 20.09% and a PBP between 8.67 to 12.61 years. The risk assessment yielded favorable investment projections with greater risk of investment loss in the NPV and the lowest for IRR. Despite the feasibility of the project, the economic performance proved to be highly reliant on the electricity sales prices subdue of energy market uncertainties. Also, regardless of the broad benefits delivered by these systems, their viability is still strikingly influenced by governmental decisions, subsidiary support and favorable electricity sales prices. Overall, this study highlights the empowering effect of small-scale gasification systems settled in decentralized communities for electric power generation.

Suggested Citation

  • J. R. Copa & C. E. Tuna & J. L. Silveira & R. A. M. Boloy & P. Brito & V. Silva & J. Cardoso & D. Eusébio, 2020. "Techno-Economic Assessment of the Use of Syngas Generated from Biomass to Feed an Internal Combustion Engine," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-31, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:12:p:3097-:d:371929
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    7. Ribó-Pérez, David & Herraiz-Cañete, Ángela & Alfonso-Solar, David & Vargas-Salgado, Carlos & Gómez-Navarro, Tomás, 2021. "Modelling biomass gasifiers in hybrid renewable energy microgrids; a complete procedure for enabling gasifiers simulation in HOMER," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 174(C), pages 501-512.

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