Agricultural residue gasification for low-cost, low-carbon decentralized power: An empirical case study in Cambodia

John L. Field, Paul Tanger, Simon J. Shackley and Stephan M. Haefele

Applied Energy, 2016, vol. 177, issue C, 612-624

Abstract: Small-scale distributed gasification can provide energy access for low-carbon sustainable development, though current understanding of the economic and environmental performance of the technology relies mostly on assumption-heavy modeling studies. Here we report a detailed empirical assessment and uncertainty estimation for four real-world gasification power systems operating at rice mills in rural Cambodia. System inputs and outputs were characterized while operating in both diesel and dual-fuel modes and synthesized into a model of carbon and energy balance, economic performance, and greenhouse gas mitigation. Our results confirm that the best-performing systems reduce diesel fuel use by up to 83%, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and recouping the initial system capital investment within one year. However, we observe a significant performance disparity across the systems observed leading to a wide range of economic outcomes. We also highlight related critical sustainability challenges around the management of byproducts that should be addressed before more widespread implementation of the technology.

Keywords: Rice husk; Gasification; Biochar; Rural electricity enterprise; Lifecycle assessment; Sustainable development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:appene:v:177:y:2016:i:c:p:612-624

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DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.05.100

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