Sustainability Assessment of Biomass Gasification Based Distributed Power Generation in India

Abstract

Access to energy is a precursor to sustainable development. In India, at present, the number of people without access to electricity remains high, despite several efforts by the government. Non-feasibility of grid extension is one of the major reasons for this poor energy access. Even in the areas with grid connectivity, reliable electricity supply still remains a challenge. Biomass gasification based renewable distributed power generation sources may provide electricity access by generating it at the point of consumption using locally available resources. Most of the prior studies have evaluated biomass gasification system based on cost of electricity generation neglecting its impact on environment and society. Instead, sustainability aspects including social, technical, environmental, and resource should be an integral part of this practice along with economic aspect and compared in transparent way. This not only necessitates identification of appropriate indicators to reflect relevant sustainability dimensions, but also requires development of general framework comparing different qualitative and quantitative indicators. Framework should bring out various trade-offs and bounce associated with indicators. This paper analyses different indicators and assessment methodologies including single-criterion and multi-criteria decision methods discussed in the literature for sustainability assessment of power generation systems followed with specific focus on sustainability assessment methodologies suggested for biomass gasification systems. Research gaps with scope for conceptual contributions in the prevailing sustainability assessment process from selection of appropriate indicator to assessment methodologies are discussed. Based on the literature review, this article identifies appropriate criteria and indicators to be considered for assessing the sustainability of biomass gasification based power generation systems. A total of 18 indicators representing economic, technical, environment, resource, and social aspect of sustainability along with their relevance and importance for sustainability assessment are discussed. The set of indicators identified may be used for comparing sustainability of possible distributed power generation systems in Indian context.