Pine Needles as Potential Energy Feedstock: Availability in the Central Himalayan State of Uttarakhand, India

L.D Kala,P.M.V Subbarao,W.E Alnaser,A.A Sayigh

doi:10.1051/e3sconf/20172304001

Abstract

The amount of pine needles (pinus roxburgii ) potentially available for use as energy feedstock in the Central Himalayan state of Uttarakhand in India has been estimated. It involves estimating the gross annual amount of pine needle yield followed by a comprehensive identification and quantification of the factors that affect the net annual pine needle yield available as energy feedstock. These factors include considerations such as accessibility, alternative uses, forest fires, other losses, etc., that are influenced by aspects ranging from physical constraints to traditional societal traits. Tree canopy cover method has been used for estimating the gross annual pine needle yield. The information on canopy density is obtained from remote sensing data, that forms the basis for forest classification. The annual gross pine needle yield has been estimated at 1.9 million tonnes while the annual net pine needle yield at 1.33 million tonnes. The annual primary energy potential of pine needles available as energy feedstock has also been estimated. For annual net energy potential estimation, thermal and electrical routes are considered. Electrical energy generation from pine needles using thermochemical conversion has been examined and the corresponding potential for electricity generation been estimated. An installed capacity of 789 MW can be supported with pine needles feedstock for supplying electricity in rural areas for five hours a day. For round the clock generation, an installed capacity of 165 MW can be supported by the pine needle energy feedstock.

Highlights

Uttarakhand in Central Himalayas, a northern hill state of India, is rich in flora and fauna and the source of the major river systems – Ganga and Sharda
The gross annual pine needle yield in the state obtained using tree canopy density method has been estimated at 1.9 million tonnes
Net annual pine needle yield as energy feedstock is affected by factors such as accessibility, alternative uses, rains and winds, various other losses, etc

Summary

Introduction

Uttarakhand in Central Himalayas, a northern hill state of India, is rich in flora and fauna and the source of the major river systems – Ganga and Sharda. Pine needles for use as energy feedstock would entail collection from the forests and taken to the site of the gasifier power generation unit. An estimated 20 percent of pine forest may be difficult due to accessibility related reasons causing loss in pine needle collection for energy feedstock. The discussion above yields values of loss factor affecting pine needle availability as energy feedstock in Uttarakhand. These factors enable estimation of the shortfall in net pine needle collection as energy feedstock. The net loss factor can be taken as 0.3 This leaves 70 percent of annual gross pine needle yield available for use as energy feedstock and can be called net annual pine needle yield for the state. Boiler efficiency of 66% have been reported for biomass boiler by Chau etal. [29]

Results and Discussion

Annual primary energy

Concluding Remarks

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