Publication: Electricity from wood-fired gasification in Uganda - a 250 and 10kW case study
Date
2016-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
IEEE
Abstract
Wood gasification systems have the potential to contribute to the rural electrification in Sub-Saharan Africa. This paper presents an operational and economic analysis of two wood-based gasification systems (250 and 10 kW) installed in Uganda in 2007. Both systems proved their potential to compete economically with diesel generated electricity when operating close to the rated capacity. At an output of 150 kW running for ~12 h/day and 8 kW running for ~8h/day, the systems produced electricity at US$ 0.18 and 0.34/kWh, respectively. A stable electricity demand close to the rated capacity proved to be a challenge for both systems. Fuelwood costs accounted for ~US$0.03/kWh for both systems. Recovery of even a small fraction of the excess heat (22%) already resulted in substantial profitability gains for the 250 kW system. Results indicate that replicating successful wood gasification systems stipulates integration of sustainable fuelwood supply and viable business models.
Description
Published in 2012 Proceedings of the 20th Domestic Use of Energy Conference (DUE)
Keywords
bioenergy conversion, diesel-electric generators, fuel gasification, power generation economics, profitability, sustainable development, wood