Abstract
Biomass based electricity generation is now a well-established concept and in Sri Lanka, gliricidia has been accepted as the most suitable biofuel. Considering this and the fertilizer displacement benefits, the Government of Sri Lanka has given prominence for cultivating gliricidia on a large scale by declaring it as the fourth plantation crop. The objective of this paper is to discuss the use of cinnamon firewood as a biofuel for electricity generation. Thus, analysing cinnamon wood’s heat characteristics, examining its availability and assessing its potentiality for electricity generation are matters of paramount importance. Cinnamon wood is the residue left from peeling the cinnamon bark. The villagers in cinnamon growing areas were the first to identify the superior heat generating properties of cinnamon wood as compared to other types of firewood. However, its effectiveness as a biofuel for electricity generation could be best assessed by comparing its heat characteristics and other properties with those of gliricidia. Cinnamon grows in most parts of the country and cinnamon wood is available year-round as a byproduct. The process is sustainable, and the 32,345ha of cinnamon plantations presently available have the potential to add at least 80GWh annually to the national grid. Hence, there may not be a need to devote land purely for cultivation of biofuels.
Highlights
The first ever proposal to generate electricity in Sri Lanka with cultivated biomass was presented around 30 years back at a seminar organized by the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka
The objective of this paper is to introduce cinnamon firewood as a biomass fuel for electricity generation, discuss its properties and compare the same with those of gliricidia to focus the attention of the authorities on the more productive use of this resource
Cinnamon wood has a huge potential for use as a biofuel for electricity generation
Summary
The first ever proposal to generate electricity in Sri Lanka with cultivated biomass was presented around 30 years back at a seminar organized by the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka. Those who were convinced of the concept continued to push forward the new idea relentlessly. To prove their point, these green energy promoters commissioned a 4kW gasifier based electricity generating unit that used gliricidia as the fuel. These green energy promoters commissioned a 4kW gasifier based electricity generating unit that used gliricidia as the fuel This was followed by the installation and commissioning of a 35kW gasifier driven electricity generating unit by LTL Ltd. This was followed by the installation and commissioning of a 35kW gasifier driven electricity generating unit by LTL Ltd In this backdrop, green energy enthusiasts highlighted the possibilities and advantages of using biomass as an alternative for fossil fuels to generate electricity and gliricidia has so far been accepted as the best biomass fuel for electricity generation. The objective of this paper is to introduce cinnamon firewood as a biomass fuel for electricity generation, discuss its properties and compare the same with those of gliricidia to focus the attention of the authorities on the more productive use of this resource
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