Abstract
AbstractGlobal interest in using biomass feedstock to produce heat and power is increasing. In this study, RETScreen modelling software was used to investigate the feasibility of biomass heating system in Middle East Technical University, Northern Cyprus Campus. Weiss Kessel Multicratboiler system with 2 MW capacity using rice straw biomass as fuel and 10 units of RBI® CB0500 boilers with 144 kW capacity using natural gas as fuel were selected for the proposed biomass heating system. The total cost of the biomass heating project is US$ 786,390. The project has a pre-tax and after tax internal rate of return (IRR) of 122.70%, simple payback period of 2.54 years, equity payback period of 0.83 year, a net present value of US$ 3,357,138.29, an annual lifecycle savings of US$ 262,617.91, a benefit-cost ratio of 21.83, an electricity cost of $0/kWh and a GHG reduction cost of −204.66 $/tCO₂. The annual GHG emission reduction is 1,283.2 tCO₂, which is equivalent to 118 hectares of forest absorbing carbon. The de...
Highlights
Biomass is ubiquitous and readily available source of energy
We present the feasibility of installing a biomass heating system in Middle East Technical University, Northern Cyprus Campus using the RETScreen modelling software by National Resource Canada
In the base case heating system, heating is done using a plant operating on natural gas while the proposed biomass heating system operates on rice straw biomass for the baseload heating system using Weiss Kessel® Multicratboiler and natural gas for the peak load heating system using RBI® CB0500 boiler which serves as a secondary backup during winter months and coldest days
Summary
Biomass is ubiquitous and readily available source of energy. The discovery of energy released from wood through fire over one million years BC transformed humanity and civilization (Strezov & Evans, 2014). The industrial revolution (combustion used to fulfil the basic human needs like: cooking, heating and protection) brought about change of living conditions and technology, and by mid-nineteenth century, technological advancements introduced power stations and the internal combustion engine, requiring a major shift in fuel sources as energy demand increased (Rosillo-Calle, 2012; Strezov & Evans, 2014). The use of biomass decreased and lost its role as the primary source of energy as fossil fuel energy generation gained popularity (Strezov & Evans, 2014). Biomass is a renewable resource that can be used to generate energy on demand, if it is cultivated and harvested in a manner that allows further growth without depleting nutrients and water resources, with little net additional contribution to global GHGs (Baskar et al, 2012; Hall, Rosillo-Calle, & de Groot, 1992). The key sources of biomass are: forest residue, whole forest, agricultural residues and crops grown on purpose (Shahrukh et al, 2015)
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