Potential biomass based electricity generation in a rural community in Nigeria

This thesis work looks at the present situation of power generation and utilization in Africa as compared to other parts of the world. The analysis then focuses on biomass resources in Nigeria, with a village in southern Nigeria taken as a case study. The importance of biomass-based electrical power generation in alleviating the energy situation in Nigeria is examined and discussed. The biomass is used as fuel in a combined heat and power (CHP) plant for electricity and heat generation. Remaining Biomass is used in the farmland for food production. Two cases were considered: one in which only a portion of the biomass produced in the mill is used for electricity generation and the other in which all biomass produced in the mill is used for electricity generation. These two cases were compared with a reference case representing the current energy utilization in the village and mill. In the first case, using the total amount of electricity required by both the village and the mill as basis, the results suggest that steam flow rate required to produce that amount of electricity is 0.4 kg/s using about 19% of total biomass available. This is less than the 0.6 kg/s steam required by the mill. Results of the second case, suggest that using the total amount of biomass as basis, the boiler produces steam at a rate of 2 kg/s (more than the mill steam demand), and about 1 MW of electricity generated – 81% in excess of the village and the mills demands. The excess electricity could be supplied to the grid. Sale of the excess electricity will generate additional revenue for the mill thereby reducing the payback period. Results of the calculation suggest that the second case is a more profitable option than the first. It was recommended that further study be undertaken using field data.That important part of such a study is a more deep engineering study as well as investigation and updating of prices, investment cost and local conditions.Validerat; 20101217 (root