Scaling Up Biomass Gasifier Use - World Bank
Public Disclosure Authorized30892PAPER NO. 103Public Disclosure AuthorizedPublic Disclosure AuthorizedPublic Disclosure AuthorizedC L I M AT E C H A N G E S E R I E SScaling UpBiomass Gasifier UseApplications, Barriersand InterventionsDebyani GhoshAmbuj SagarV. V. N. KishoreNovember 2004
THE WORLD BANK ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENTScaling up BiomassGasifier Use:Applications, Barriersand InterventionsDebyani Ghosh†Ambuj Sagar†V. V. N. Kishore§†Science, Technology, and Public Policy Program Belfer Centerfor Science and International Affairs John F. Kennedy School ofGovernment Harvard University§Biomass Energy Technology ApplicationsThe Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) andTERI School for Advanced StudiesNovember 2004Papers in this series are not formal publications of the World Bank. They are circulated to encourage thought and discussion. The useand citation of this paper should take this into account. The views expressed are those of the authors and should not be attributed tothe World Bank. Copies are available from the Environment Department of the World Bank by calling 202-473-3641.
The International Bank for Reconstructionand Development/THEWORLDBANK Barriers and InterventionScalingup Biomass Gasifier Use:Applications,1818 H Street, N.W.Washington, D.C. 20433, U.S.A.Manufactured in the United States of AmericaFirst printing November 2004iiEnvironment Department Papers
ContentsACKNOWLEDGMENTSvEXECUTIVE SUMMARYviiChapter 1Biomass gasification for rural development1Chapter 2Development and Dissemination of Biomass Gasifiers in IndiaChapter 3Barriers For Scaling-up13Technology/product development and productionInformation and awareness14Experimentation and learning15Actor linkages and interaction16Economic and financing issues17Policy issues18713Chapter 4Mainstreaming Biomass Gasifiers21Gasifier technology development and deployment21Selection criteria and other issues for scaling up25Scaling-up in various applications and contexts27Systems-level issues for scale-up36Chapter 5Conclusion53Annexure 1Biomass Gasification: A Technology Primer-cum-GlossaryAnnexure 2Selected aspects of the Indian experienceClimate Change Series5563iii
Scaling up Biomass Gasifier Use: Applications, Barriers and InterventionAnnexure 3Economic and financial analysesAnnexure 4List of people ronment Department Papers
AcknowledgementsThis paper draws, in part, on research carriedout under the Energy Technology InnovationProject in the Science, Technology, and PublicPolicy Program at the Belfer Center for Scienceand International Affairs, Kennedy School ofGovernment, Harvard University, with supportfrom the Energy Foundation, the Heinz FamilyFoundation, the William and Flora HewlettFoundation, the David and Lucile PackardFoundation, and the Winslow Foundation.We would like to thank the numerousresearchers, practitioners, and policy-makers inClimate Change SeriesIndia (listed in Annexure 4) who freely sharedinformation as well as their views and insightsduring the course of interviews with them. Wealso benefited significantly from commentsreceived during a presentation at the WorldBank of a preliminary version of this work.Finally, we would like to thank Ajay Mathur forhis numerous suggestions, comments, and otherhelpful inputs that have added greatly to thispaper. Of course, the final responsibility for thedocument, and the interpretations offeredtherein, lies with us.v
Scaling up Biomass Gasifier Use: Applications, Barriers and InterventionviEnvironment Department Papers
Executive SummaryBiomass resources account for about 11% of theglobal primary energy supply (Goldemberg,2000)—their contribution is even greater, andhence particularly important, in developingcountries (Reddy, 2000). But biomass utilizationin these countries generally takes place with alow end-use efficiency, often in ruralhouseholds, informal small-scale or even smalland medium enterprises in the organizedsectors. Additionally, biomass can be used forproviding modern energy services for basicneeds and productive applications in areas thatare lacking these, but this aspect of biomass usehas not been tapped much yet. Gasifiertechnologies offer the possibility of convertingbiomass into producer gas, an energy carrier,which can then be burnt for delivering heat orelectrical power in an efficient manner (Karthaand Larson, 2000). While this approach couldmake a contribution to helping solve the energyproblem in developing countries, such potentialcan be meaningfully realized only with thelarge-scale deployment of biomass gasifierbased energy systems (GESs). This has nothappened yet.This report explores the reasons for the lack ofscale-up, using India—a country with a longstanding and extensive gasifier developmentand dissemination program—as a case study.Then, drawing on the Indian experience andlessons from it, it discusses in detail variousissues that are of particular relevance to scalingClimate Change Seriesup gasifiers-based energy systems. It alsoproposes specific applications and contexts inwhich it might be particularly fruitful toexplore large-scale deployment of such energysystems, and ways in which this might bedone.In India, work on gasifiers for energyapplications started in the early 1980s. Theseefforts received a boost with the Department ofNon-conventional Energy Sources’ (DNES, nowa ministry, MNES) dissemination program thatwas initiated in 1987. While this subsidy-basedprogram was successful in placing about 1200gasifier systems for irrigation pumping in thefield, most of these units were non-operationalsoon after for a host of reasons (technical,inappropriate subsidy structure, etc.). Themodified government policies introduced in the1990s attempted to correct the shortcomings ofthe previous program, most notably bychanging the subsidy structure, not restrictingthe applications eligible for subsidies, and byinstituting a certification regime for gasifiers.This allowed for dissemination of a significantnumber of gasifiers ( 600) for a range ofapplications, building on continuing researchand development efforts (although there is notmuch data on the field performance of these).At the same time, the emergence of variousmanufacturers and entrepreneurs outside theMNES program also assisted in furthercommercial dissemination of gasifiers ( 400).vii
Scaling up Biomass Gasifier Use: Applications, Barriers and InterventionDespite all this, though, large-scale gasifierdeployment has still not taken off in India. clear and significant benefits (economic,social, or environmental);The fact that scale-up did not take placeautomatically even in cases where gasifiers areeconomically clearly feasible indicates that thereare a number of issues to be considered andbarriers to be overcome for successful largescale deployment. Broadly speaking, from theIndian experience, we can classify these as: lackof information and awareness about gasifierpotential, economics, and technologies; need forfurther evolution of gasifier and othercomponents’ technologies (including those forsystem automation) in order to make GESsrobust and user friendly; limited manufacturingcapabilities; inadequate coordination betweenvarious actors; absence of institutionalstructures to facilitate gasifier deploymentamong poorer and non-skilled users (i.e.,unorganized, small-scale firms, rural areas); andlack of systematic programs targeted towardsscale-up. Especially important is the fact thatthe particulars of implementing gasifier-basedenergy systems depend on the kind ofapplication and context; therefore the approachhas to be tailored to the specific application –this impedes the potential success of any singleapproach to scale-up. possibility of utilizing economies of scale(production, delivery of systems/services); availability of biomass supply; demonstration of potential for institutionalstructures to deliver, operate, and maintainthese energy systems; ability to build on existing experienceswith applications as well as institutionalmodels.A possible approach to mainstream gasifiers,and one that we suggest here, is based on aselection of certain target applications as areasof initial focus. This group can be identified byscreening on the basis of certain criteria toensure the potential and feasibility of scale-up.We suggest that the criteria on the basis ofwhich to select candidate applications include: availability of technology; economic feasibility (in relation to currentsituation and other options);viiiOnce these target applications have beenselected, then each element of the technologydevelopment and deployment process will needto be considered in the context of that particularapplication with a view towards tailoring theapproach so as to take into account thespecificities of that context and to maximize thechances of successful large-scale deployment.Thus we would need to: identify technology performance anddesign parameters to ensure that thegasifier-based system can meet the needs ofthe application and also promotestandardization where possible; evaluate manufacturing options (especiallyso as to gain benefits from volumemanufacturing); Examine product deployment issues,including product supply channels,technology options assessment capability ofusers, product operation and maintenanceneeds, and availability of financing; assess biomass supply linkages.Environment Department Papers
Executive SummaryIn applications where the target group (i.e., thebeneficiaries) does not have the skills andresources to deploy gasifier-based energysystems, intermediary actors such asentrepreneurs, NGOs or self-help groups arelikely to be required to facilitate the deploymentprocess (as is financing to overcome the lack ofready capital among such actors).On the basis of these criteria, we suggest fourcategories of applications that might serve assuitable starting points for a program aimed atscaling up gasifier use. These categories are: small enterprises in the informal sector thatneed process heat for their operations(examples include silk reelers, textiledyeing, agro-processors) small and medium enterprises that havehigh requirements for process heat (such asceramics firms, chemicals manufacturers,brick kilns) captive power generation in enterprises thatproduce excess biomass as a result of theiroperations (e.g., rice mills, sugarcaneprocessors, corn processors) rural areas that have access to limited or nomodern energy services, and where gasifierbased energy systems can play a role inhelping satisfy basic needs as well asproviding economic opportunities throughthe provision of electric power as well asprocess heat. The two main sub-categoriesClimate Change Serieshere are rural remote areas where the GES isused to provide power and other energyservices to individual villages (or smallclusters) that are not connected to thepower grid, and grid-interfacedapplications where the proximity to thepower grid allows for feeding of excesspower into the grid.In addition, some ‘systems’-level interventions(such as setting up an information andawareness program, performance testingfacilities, strengthening actor interactions andnetworks, coordinating and an effort forsystematic learning from field experiences) willalso be required. Mechanisms for continuousfeedback and learning from field experiencesare also criticalKeeping all of this in mind, perhaps the mostfruitful scale-up strategy would be one thatinitially focuses on pure thermal productiveapplications. These could be taken up in theshort-term, given their economic and financialfeasibility and only minor needs for technologydevelopment. At the same time, a sequencedapproach could be followed for powergeneration applications. Here, selected pilottransactions could be initiated with a view topromoting appropriate technology and productdevelopment and also provide learning abouthow to best incorporate such efforts intoexisting institutional structures for electricityprovision. As successful products andinstitutional delivery models emerge, scale-upwould follow for such applications.ix
Scaling up Biomass Gasifier Use: Applications, Barriers and l andmediumenterprisesProvide process heat to substitute liquidfuels or inefficient biomass combustionMinor technology/product development;involve mid-to-large manufacturers;train financiers;help develop biomass marketsProvide power to replace grid power orliquid-fuel-based powerTechnology/product development; involvemid-to-large manufacturers; train financiers;help develop biomass marketsInformalenterprisesProvide process heat to substitute liquidfuels or inefficient biomass combustionMinor technology/product development;technology standardization and/or opentechnology;involve mid-to-large manufacturers andsmall-scale manufacturers; promoteentrepreneurs as ESCOs;train financiers;provide favorable financing for capital costsand working capitalCaptivepowerUtilize excess/waste biomass to generateelectricity to replace grid powerTechnology/product development; involvelarge manufacturers;train financiersRuralProvide modern energy services to remotevillages for social and human developmentMinor technology/product development;product standardization and/or opentechnology;involve mid-to-large manufacturers andsmall-scale manufacturers; promote NGOsand other orgns. as ESCOs;provide subsidies for capital costs;favorable financing for working capitalProvide modern energy services to villagesfor social and human development; replace/augment grid powerTechnology/product development;involve large-scale manufacturers promoteNGOs and other organizations as ESCOs;provide subsidies for capital costs;favorable financing for working capitalEnvironment Department Papers
1Biomass gasificationfor rural developmentBiomass energy sources currently contributeabout 11% of the global primary energy supply(Goldemberg, 2000). Their role in developingcountry energy supplies is particularly important—for example, in the Indian case, it is estimated that such sources account for about 34 to41% of the country’s primary energy supply(Reddy, 2000.). The large size of the biomassresource base—comparable in magnitude toother fossil fuel resources such as coal (see Table1, for example)—and its renewable nature willlikely ensure a continuing place of prominencein the future energy supplies, especially as climate change concerns become more pressing.Most biomass utilization, however, in developing countries occurs with a low end-use efficiency. For example, traditional cooking stoves inrural areas have an energy efficiency of about10% (Smith, 2002). While no systematic studieshave been undertaken to measure end-use efficiencies of energy use in small, unorganizedindustries (or even formal small and mediumenterprises (SMEs)), available data for somecategories of industries in India indicates efficiencies comparable to those in traditionalstoves (Sarvekshana, 1995) (see Table 2). Thenumber of such enterprises is enormous (seeTable 3) and hence the total scale of inefficientbiomass use, and the resulting environmental,economic, social, and health consequences, is acause of great concern.1 Furthermore, thereremain many areas in most developing countries that are in urgent need of access to modernClimate Change Seriesenergy services—such energy services contribute directly to human development by helpingprovide basic amenities such as lighting andwater (Reddy, et. al., 1997). They can also contribute to economic and social development byopening possibilities for a range of productiveapplications such as micro-enterprises, coldstorage, irrigation, etc. Delivering modern energy services to such areas while utilizing localbiomass resources would be a highly desirablesolution to this rural energy problem.Modern biomass energy conversion technologies like gasification allow for substantial improvements in overall energy efficiency besidesoffering flexibility of use and significant environmental and health benefits (Johansson, et.al., 2002). The biomass gasification processyields producer gas, an energy carrier that canbe burnt relatively easily and can therefore beexploited for generation of electrical power andprocess heat. Hence the gasification route offersa direct approach to utilize biomass in a manner that helps meet not only basic needs suchas lighting and water, but also underpins arange of productive applications that providelivelihoods. This route can help in achievingend-use efficiencies of about 35–40% for heat1Recent data also suggests that products of incomplete combustion (PICs) that result from inefficientcombustion of biomass can have significant greenhouse gas potential (Smith et al., 2000).1
Scaling up Biomass Gasifier Use: Applications, Barriers and Interventionutilization compared to about 10% for traditional devices (Kartha & Larson, 2000). Furthermore, realizing such levels of efficiencies on theground can save wood, which is equivalent tofresh afforestation (one ton of firewood is approximately equivalent to one average tree).Conversely, the biomass ‘released’ throughsuch efficiency-improving technologies can beused to provide additional energy services.Hence, if suitably used, biomass gasifiers canplay a substantial positive role in improvinghuman development in developing countries,especially in rural areas, while utilizing localresources in an efficient and environmentallyfriendly manner.As a consequence, over the last two decades,there have been efforts in many countries toexplore the implementation of gasifiers in anumber of applications and contexts. There hasbeen considerable research on, and evolution,in gasifier designs with a concomitant increasein the ability to utilize a greater range of biomass feedstocks. There have been a number ofdemonstration and implementation efforts thathave begun to yield a wealth of experience thatin turn are leading to a refinement of the thinking on how to make further progress on thisfront.2Ultimately, though perhaps the most importantaspect of any contemplation of efforts to realizethe potential role of biomass gasifiers in contributing to development in any meaningful manner is the “scale” issue. To put it simply, thistechnology will make any significant contribution to the enormous energy problem in developing countries only through large-scaledeployment. Only if the dissemination and useof gasifiers can be scaled up, can they be considered to be successful contributors to economicand social development in developing countries. This has not happened so far for a varietyof reasons.This report aims to highlight the various applications and contexts in which biomass gasification may be successfully utilized at a large scale.It also discusses the various dimensions thatneed to be considered in scaling up deploymentin any of these categories, and suggests possibleapproaches that might be particularly promising. The analysis in this report builds on theexperience and lessons from the substantialefforts in India on biomass gasifier developmentand dissemination over the last two decades. Italso explicitly takes a systems perspective inanalyzing the Indian case as well as possibleways forward in order to mainstream gasifieruse in developing countries.Environment Department Papers
Biomass Gasification for Rural DevelopmentTable 1: Bioresource base of India in comparison with commercial energy (1998–99 data)Commercial energyBioenergyMtoeMTMtoePrimary energyFuelwood1220103.4Coal & ligniteFuelwood in villageindustries20.09.4Production315.7 MT127.7Other biomass216056.0Imports15.64 MT10.2Potential gas fromorganic residues336.816.6OilProduction32.72 MT32.7Imports39.81 MT39.8Production27.4 (bcm)23.5——Hydro82,619 GWh23.74Nuclear11,987 GWh3.34GasImportsSecondary energy (all imported)LPG1.53 MT1.7Naphtha0.42 MT0.5Kerosene5.82 MT6.1HSD10.5 MT10.9Fuel oil0.51 MT0.5Total280.5185.
S. UMMARY. vii. Chapter 1. Biomass gasification for rural development. 1. Chapter 2. Development and Dissemination of Biomass Gasifiers in India. 7. Chapter 3. Barriers For Scaling-up. 13 Technology/product development and production 13 Information and awareness 14 Experime
reserves of this coal available, simple and cheap gasifier is needed. IHI has developed the TIGAR (Twin IHI Gasifier) process for lignite coal, based on our commercialized circulating fluidized bed technology. TIGAR is a circulating fluidized bed gasifier with twin reactors (a riser combustor and a bubbling bed gasifier), and can
For safety reasons, this gasifier stove should not be operated as a stand-alone unit. It should be set within an enclosure. One simple type of enclosure is a stainless steel table with a hole through which the burner of the gasifier protrudes a little less than an inch. Once the gasifier is situated within the table, it is virtually
potential production inputs to analyses comparing the viability of biomass crops under various economic scenarios. The modeling and parameterization framework can be expanded to include other biomass crops. Keywords: biomass crop, biomass production potential, biomass resource map, biomass resources, biomass sorghum, energy-
section, we review gasifier technologies that are currently commercially available, or planned to be available in the short-medium term, for biomass feedstocks relevant to the UK. Further details on each gasifier are given in the annex Comparing generic types of gasifier (Section 4) to assess their status, feedstock requirements, scale and costs
downdraft gasifier proposed by FEMA and Figure 2 shows the schematic diagram of the gasifier fabricated for this experiment. The main piece is the gasifier unit. The body of the gasifier unit is constructed from the body of a meat smoker. The fire tube and the bottom of the unit are constructed from duct work that was available.
areas. Biomass is also capable of providing firm energy. Estimates have indicated that 15%–50% of the world’s primary energy use could come from biomass by the year 2050. Currently, about 11% of the world’s primary energy is estimated to be met with biomass. For India, biomass
Biomass Biogas Biomass Biogas Biomass Technology Upgrades Maximum Potential Current. Emissions, metric tonnes (10. 3 . Mg for CO2eq) Feedstocks Collection and Transport Conversion Savings-80 -40 0 40 80 120 160. NOX PM CO2eq NOX PM CO2eq NOX PM CO2eq NOX PM CO2eq NOX PM CO2eq NOX PM CO2eq. Biogas Biomass Biogas Biomass Biogas Biomass Technology .
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