The feasibility of hybrid solar-biomass power plants in India

Jonathan Nixon; Prasanta Dey; Philip Davies

doi:10.1016/j.energy.2012.07.058

The feasibility of hybrid solar-biomass power plants in India

Jonathan Nixon
, Prasanta Dey
, Philip Davies

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

122 Citations (Scopus)

998 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

We assess the feasibility of hybrid solar-biomass power plants for use in India in various applications including tri-generation, electricity generation and process heat. To cover this breadth of scenarios we analyse, with the help of simulation models, case studies with peak thermal capacities ranging from 2 to 10 MW. Evaluations are made against technical, financial and environmental criteria. Suitable solar multiples, based on the trade-offs among the various criteria, range from 1 to 2.5. Compared to conventional energy sources, levelised energy costs are high - but competitive in comparison to other renewables such as photovoltaic and wind. Long payback periods for hybrid plants mean that they cannot compete directly with biomass-only systems. However, a 1.2-3.2 times increase in feedstock price will result in hybrid systems becoming cost competitive. Furthermore, in comparison to biomass-only, hybrid operation saves up to 29% biomass and land with an 8.3-24.8 $/GJ/a and 1.8-5.2 ¢/kWh increase in cost per exergy loss and levelised energy cost. Hybrid plants will become an increasingly attractive option as the cost of solar thermal falls and feedstock, fossil fuel and land prices continue to rise. In the foreseeable future, solar will continue to rely on subsidies and it is recommended to subsidise preferentially tri-generation plants.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	541-554
Number of pages	14
Journal	Energy
Volume	46
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2012.07.058
Publication status	Published - Oct 2012

Bibliographical note

NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Energy. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Nixon, J, Dey, P & Davies, P, 'The feasibility of hybrid solar-biomass power plants in India' Energy, vol. 46, no. 1 (2012) DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2012.07.058

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy

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10.1016/j.energy.2012.07.058

Feasibility of hybrid solar-biomass power plants in India
NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Energy. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Nixon, J, Dey, P & Davies, P, 'The feasibility of hybrid solar-biomass power plants in India' Energy, vol. 46, no. 1 (2012) DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2012.07.058
Accepted author manuscript, 264 KB

Cite this

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title = "The feasibility of hybrid solar-biomass power plants in India",

abstract = "We assess the feasibility of hybrid solar-biomass power plants for use in India in various applications including tri-generation, electricity generation and process heat. To cover this breadth of scenarios we analyse, with the help of simulation models, case studies with peak thermal capacities ranging from 2 to 10 MW. Evaluations are made against technical, financial and environmental criteria. Suitable solar multiples, based on the trade-offs among the various criteria, range from 1 to 2.5. Compared to conventional energy sources, levelised energy costs are high - but competitive in comparison to other renewables such as photovoltaic and wind. Long payback periods for hybrid plants mean that they cannot compete directly with biomass-only systems. However, a 1.2-3.2 times increase in feedstock price will result in hybrid systems becoming cost competitive. Furthermore, in comparison to biomass-only, hybrid operation saves up to 29\% biomass and land with an 8.3-24.8 \$/GJ/a and 1.8-5.2 ¢/kWh increase in cost per exergy loss and levelised energy cost. Hybrid plants will become an increasingly attractive option as the cost of solar thermal falls and feedstock, fossil fuel and land prices continue to rise. In the foreseeable future, solar will continue to rely on subsidies and it is recommended to subsidise preferentially tri-generation plants.",

author = "Jonathan Nixon and Prasanta Dey and Philip Davies",

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The feasibility of hybrid solar-biomass power plants in India

Abstract

Bibliographical note

UN SDGs

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