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

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

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Field, John L. & Tanger, Paul & Shackley, Simon J. & Haefele, Stephan M., 2016. "Agricultural residue gasification for low-cost, low-carbon decentralized power: An empirical case study in Cambodia," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 177(C), pages 612-624.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:177:y:2016:i:c:p:612-624
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.05.100
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    3. Laurene Desclaux & Amaro Olimpio Pereira, 2024. "Residual Biomass Gasification for Small-Scale Decentralized Electricity Production: Business Models for Lower Societal Costs," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-26, April.
    4. Gambarotta, Agostino & Morini, Mirko & Zubani, Andrea, 2018. "A non-stoichiometric equilibrium model for the simulation of the biomass gasification process," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 227(C), pages 119-127.
    5. You, Siming & Tong, Huanhuan & Armin-Hoiland, Joel & Tong, Yen Wah & Wang, Chi-Hwa, 2017. "Techno-economic and greenhouse gas savings assessment of decentralized biomass gasification for electrifying the rural areas of Indonesia," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 208(C), pages 495-510.
    6. Berazneva, Julia & Woolf, Dominic & Lee, David R., 2021. "Local lignocellulosic biofuel and biochar co-production in Sub-Saharan Africa: The role of feedstock provision in economic viability," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    7. Bhoi, Prakashbhai R. & Huhnke, Raymond L. & Kumar, Ajay & Thapa, Sunil & Indrawan, Natarianto, 2018. "Scale-up of a downdraft gasifier system for commercial scale mobile power generation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 25-33.

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