IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/appene/v177y2016icp612-624.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Agricultural residue gasification for low-cost, low-carbon decentralized power: An empirical case study in Cambodia

Author

Listed:
  • Field, John L.
  • Tanger, Paul
  • Shackley, Simon J.
  • Haefele, Stephan M.

Abstract

Small-scale distributed gasification can provide energy access for low-carbon sustainable development, though current understanding of the economic and environmental performance of the technology relies mostly on assumption-heavy modeling studies. Here we report a detailed empirical assessment and uncertainty estimation for four real-world gasification power systems operating at rice mills in rural Cambodia. System inputs and outputs were characterized while operating in both diesel and dual-fuel modes and synthesized into a model of carbon and energy balance, economic performance, and greenhouse gas mitigation. Our results confirm that the best-performing systems reduce diesel fuel use by up to 83%, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and recouping the initial system capital investment within one year. However, we observe a significant performance disparity across the systems observed leading to a wide range of economic outcomes. We also highlight related critical sustainability challenges around the management of byproducts that should be addressed before more widespread implementation of the technology.

Suggested Citation

  • Field, John L. & Tanger, Paul & Shackley, Simon J. & Haefele, Stephan M., 2016. "Agricultural residue gasification for low-cost, low-carbon decentralized power: An empirical case study in Cambodia," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 177(C), pages 612-624.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:177:y:2016:i:c:p:612-624
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.05.100
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261916306973
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.05.100?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Urmee, Tania & Harries, David & Schlapfer, August, 2009. "Issues related to rural electrification using renewable energy in developing countries of Asia and Pacific," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(2), pages 354-357.
    2. Shackley, Simon & Carter, Sarah & Knowles, Tony & Middelink, Erik & Haefele, Stephan & Sohi, Saran & Cross, Andrew & Haszeldine, Stuart, 2012. "Sustainable gasification–biochar systems? A case-study of rice-husk gasification in Cambodia, Part I: Context, chemical properties, environmental and health and safety issues," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 49-58.
    3. Pode, Ramchandra & Diouf, Boucar & Pode, Gayatri, 2015. "Sustainable rural electrification using rice husk biomass energy: A case study of Cambodia," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 530-542.
    4. Goyal, H.B. & Seal, Diptendu & Saxena, R.C., 2008. "Bio-fuels from thermochemical conversion of renewable resources: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 12(2), pages 504-517, February.
    5. Searchinger, Timothy & Heimlich, Ralph & Houghton, R. A. & Dong, Fengxia & Elobeid, Amani & Fabiosa, Jacinto F. & Tokgoz, Simla & Hayes, Dermot J. & Yu, Hun-Hsiang, 2008. "Use of U.S. Croplands for Biofuels Increases Greenhouse Gases Through Emissions from Land-Use Change," Staff General Research Papers Archive 12881, Iowa State University, Department of Economics.
    6. Sookkumnerd, Chanoknun & Ito, Nobutaka & Kito, Koji, 2005. "Financial viabilities of husk-fueled steam engines as an energy-saving technology in Thai rice mills," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 82(1), pages 64-80, September.
    7. Shackley, Simon & Carter, Sarah & Knowles, Tony & Middelink, Erik & Haefele, Stephan & Haszeldine, Stuart, 2012. "Sustainable gasification–biochar systems? A case-study of rice-husk gasification in Cambodia, Part II: Field trial results, carbon abatement, economic assessment and conclusions," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 618-623.
    8. Stassen, H.E., 1995. "Small-Scale Biomass Gasifiers for Heat and Power," Papers 296, World Bank - Technical Papers.
    9. Dominic Woolf & James E. Amonette & F. Alayne Street-Perrott & Johannes Lehmann & Stephen Joseph, 2010. "Sustainable biochar to mitigate global climate change," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 1(1), pages 1-9, December.
    10. Bingxin Yu & Shenggen Fan, 2011. "Rice production response in Cambodia," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 42(3), pages 437-450, May.
    11. Hammond, Jim & Shackley, Simon & Sohi, Saran & Brownsort, Peter, 2011. "Prospective life cycle carbon abatement for pyrolysis biochar systems in the UK," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(5), pages 2646-2655, May.
    12. Goldemberg, Jose & Teixeira Coelho, Suani, 2004. "Renewable energy--traditional biomass vs. modern biomass," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 32(6), pages 711-714, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Qiongzhi Liu & Jun Hao, 2022. "Regional Differences and Influencing Factors of Carbon Emission Efficiency in the Yangtze River Economic Belt," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-15, April.
    2. Li, Xian & Kan, Xiang & Sun, Xiangyu & Zhao, Yao & Ge, Tianshu & Dai, Yanjun & Wang, Chi-Hwa, 2019. "Performance analysis of a biomass gasification-based CCHP system integrated with variable-effect LiBr-H2O absorption cooling and desiccant dehumidification," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 176(C), pages 961-979.
    3. Gambarotta, Agostino & Morini, Mirko & Zubani, Andrea, 2018. "A non-stoichiometric equilibrium model for the simulation of the biomass gasification process," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 227(C), pages 119-127.
    4. Berazneva, Julia & Woolf, Dominic & Lee, David R., 2021. "Local lignocellulosic biofuel and biochar co-production in Sub-Saharan Africa: The role of feedstock provision in economic viability," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    5. Bhoi, Prakashbhai R. & Huhnke, Raymond L. & Kumar, Ajay & Thapa, Sunil & Indrawan, Natarianto, 2018. "Scale-up of a downdraft gasifier system for commercial scale mobile power generation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 25-33.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Pode, Ramchandra, 2016. "Potential applications of rice husk ash waste from rice husk biomass power plant," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 1468-1485.
    2. Dębowski, Marcin & Zieliński, Marcin & Grala, Anna & Dudek, Magda, 2013. "Algae biomass as an alternative substrate in biogas production technologies—Review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 27(C), pages 596-604.
    3. Lauri Leppäkoski & Miika P. Marttila & Ville Uusitalo & Jarkko Levänen & Vilma Halonen & Mirja H. Mikkilä, 2021. "Assessing the Carbon Footprint of Biochar from Willow Grown on Marginal Lands in Finland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-19, September.
    4. Suopajärvi, Hannu & Pongrácz, Eva & Fabritius, Timo, 2013. "The potential of using biomass-based reducing agents in the blast furnace: A review of thermochemical conversion technologies and assessments related to sustainability," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 25(C), pages 511-528.
    5. Kambo, Harpreet Singh & Dutta, Animesh, 2015. "A comparative review of biochar and hydrochar in terms of production, physico-chemical properties and applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 359-378.
    6. Lim, Jeng Shiun & Abdul Manan, Zainuddin & Wan Alwi, Sharifah Rafidah & Hashim, Haslenda, 2012. "A review on utilisation of biomass from rice industry as a source of renewable energy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(5), pages 3084-3094.
    7. Anja Hansen & Jörn Budde & Yusuf Nadi Karatay & Annette Prochnow, 2016. "CUDe —Carbon Utilization Degree as an Indicator for Sustainable Biomass Use," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(10), pages 1-17, October.
    8. Kwofie, E.M. & Ngadi, M., 2016. "Sustainable energy supply for local rice parboiling in West Africa: The potential of rice husk," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 1409-1418.
    9. Shackley, Simon & Carter, Sarah & Knowles, Tony & Middelink, Erik & Haefele, Stephan & Sohi, Saran & Cross, Andrew & Haszeldine, Stuart, 2012. "Sustainable gasification–biochar systems? A case-study of rice-husk gasification in Cambodia, Part I: Context, chemical properties, environmental and health and safety issues," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 49-58.
    10. Suganya, T. & Varman, M. & Masjuki, H.H. & Renganathan, S., 2016. "Macroalgae and microalgae as a potential source for commercial applications along with biofuels production: A biorefinery approach," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 909-941.
    11. Robert S. Frazier & Enze Jin & Ajay Kumar, 2015. "Life Cycle Assessment of Biochar versus Metal Catalysts Used in Syngas Cleaning," Energies, MDPI, vol. 8(1), pages 1-24, January.
    12. Anand, Abhijeet & Kumar, Vivek & Kaushal, Priyanka, 2022. "Biochar and its twin benefits: Crop residue management and climate change mitigation in India," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    13. Marcin Dębowski & Paulina Rusanowska & Marcin Zieliński & Magda Dudek & Zdzisława Romanowska-Duda, 2018. "Biomass Production and Nutrient Removal by Chlorella vulgaris from Anaerobic Digestion Effluents," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-11, June.
    14. Al-Rumaihi, Aisha & Shahbaz, Muhammad & Mckay, Gordon & Mackey, Hamish & Al-Ansari, Tareq, 2022. "A review of pyrolysis technologies and feedstock: A blending approach for plastic and biomass towards optimum biochar yield," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    15. Shafie, S.M., 2016. "A review on paddy residue based power generation: Energy, environment and economic perspective," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 1089-1100.
    16. Na Su & Zhenbo Wang, 2022. "Visual Analysis of Global Carbon Mitigation Research Based on Scientific Knowledge Graphs," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-15, May.
    17. Alexandre Tisserant & Francesco Cherubini, 2019. "Potentials, Limitations, Co-Benefits, and Trade-Offs of Biochar Applications to Soils for Climate Change Mitigation," Land, MDPI, vol. 8(12), pages 1-34, November.
    18. Brennan, Liam & Owende, Philip, 2010. "Biofuels from microalgae--A review of technologies for production, processing, and extractions of biofuels and co-products," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 14(2), pages 557-577, February.
    19. Song, Biao & Almatrafi, Eydhah & Tan, Xiaofei & Luo, Songhao & Xiong, Weiping & Zhou, Chengyun & Qin, Meng & Liu, Yang & Cheng, Min & Zeng, Guangming & Gong, Jilai, 2022. "Biochar-based agricultural soil management: An application-dependent strategy for contributing to carbon neutrality," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).
    20. Bardhan, Soubhik K. & Gupta, Shelaka & Gorman, M.E. & Haider, M. Ali, 2015. "Biorenewable chemicals: Feedstocks, technologies and the conflict with food production," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 506-520.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:177:y:2016:i:c:p:612-624. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/405891/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.