IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/appene/v377y2025ipbs0306261924018294.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Techno-economic assessment of a hybrid PV-assisted biomass gasification CCHP plant for electrification of a rural area in the Savannah region of Ghana

Author

Listed:
  • Sánchez-Lozano, Daniel
  • Aguado, Roque
  • Escámez, Antonio
  • Awaafo, Augustine
  • Jurado, Francisco
  • Vera, David

Abstract

In rural areas of sub-Saharan countries, there is great potential for solar and biomass resources to achieve a reliable electricity supply, reduce the dependence on fossil fuels, and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, thereby tackling energy poverty and promoting sustainable development. This work aims to address the lack of reliable electricity access in rural communities of sub-Saharan countries through biomass gasification assisted by solar photovoltaic (PV) energy and a small back-up diesel engine–generator set. The biomass gasification plant is designed to convert locally available agricultural waste into producer gas, which can then be used to generate electricity. A detailed analysis of the system components, including the PV array, battery bank, biomass gasifier with a combined cooling, heat and power generation unit (CCHP), is carried out to evaluate their performance and efficiency under different operating conditions. The results reveal a CCHP efficiency of 62% for the gasification CCHP unit, accompanied by a remarkable 93.8% reduction in CO2 emissions considering the whole hybrid system. From an economic standpoint under conservative assumptions, the proposed facility can generate a cumulative profit of $157,890 after 20 years, recovering the initial investment within a period of just under 7 years. This is reflected in a levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of $0.287/kWh, comparable to that of related studies. The outcomes demonstrate that the PV-assisted biomass gasification plant offers a sustainable technical, economical and environmentally friendly solution for electrification of rural communities in sub-Saharan countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Sánchez-Lozano, Daniel & Aguado, Roque & Escámez, Antonio & Awaafo, Augustine & Jurado, Francisco & Vera, David, 2025. "Techno-economic assessment of a hybrid PV-assisted biomass gasification CCHP plant for electrification of a rural area in the Savannah region of Ghana," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 377(PB).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:377:y:2025:i:pb:s0306261924018294
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2024.124446
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261924018294
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.apenergy.2024.124446?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Clausen, Lasse R. & Houbak, Niels & Elmegaard, Brian, 2010. "Technoeconomic analysis of a methanol plant based on gasification of biomass and electrolysis of water," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(5), pages 2338-2347.
    2. Seo, Su Been & Go, Eun Sol & Ling, Jester Lih Jie & Lee, See Hoon, 2022. "Techno-economic assessment of a solar-assisted biomass gasification process," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 193(C), pages 23-31.
    3. Martins, Guilherme Santos & Giesbrecht, Mateus, 2023. "Hybrid approaches based on Singular Spectrum Analysis and k- Nearest Neighbors for clearness index forecasting," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 219(P1).
    4. Kemausuor, Francis & Kamp, Andreas & Thomsen, Sune Tjalfe & Bensah, Edem Cudjoe & Østergård, Hanne, 2014. "Assessment of biomass residue availability and bioenergy yields in Ghana," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 28-37.
    5. Miguel-Angel Perea-Moreno & Francisco Manzano-Agugliaro & Quetzalcoatl Hernandez-Escobedo & Alberto-Jesus Perea-Moreno, 2018. "Peanut Shell for Energy: Properties and Its Potential to Respect the Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-15, September.
    6. Chambon, Clementine L. & Karia, Tanuj & Sandwell, Philip & Hallett, Jason P., 2020. "Techno-economic assessment of biomass gasification-based mini-grids for productive energy applications: The case of rural India," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 432-444.
    7. Giulio Allesina & Simone Pedrazzi, 2021. "Barriers to Success: A Technical Review on the Limits and Possible Future Roles of Small Scale Gasifiers," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-23, October.
    8. Awais, Muhammad & Omar, Muhammad Mubashar & Munir, Anjum & li, Wei & Ajmal, Muhammad & Hussain, Sajjad & Ahmad, Syed Amjad & Ali, Amjad, 2022. "Co-gasification of different biomass feedstock in a pilot-scale (24 kWe) downdraft gasifier: An experimental approach," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(PB).
    9. Ayamga, Ezekiel Anabire & Kemausuor, Francis & Addo, Ahmad, 2015. "Technical analysis of crop residue biomass energy in an agricultural region of Ghana," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 51-60.
    10. Al-Shetwi, Ali Q. & Atawi, Ibrahem E. & Abuelrub, Ahmad & Hannan, M.A., 2023. "Techno-economic assessment and optimal design of hybrid power generation-based renewable energy systems," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    11. Arranz-Piera, Pol & Kemausuor, Francis & Darkwah, Lawrence & Edjekumhene, Ishmael & Cortés, Joan & Velo, Enrique, 2018. "Mini-grid electricity service based on local agricultural residues: Feasibility study in rural Ghana," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 443-454.
    12. Ali Eliasu & Nana Sarfo Agyemang Derkyi & Samuel Gyamfi, 2022. "Techno-Economic Analysis of Municipal Solid Waste Gasification for Electricity Generation," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 12(1), pages 342-348.
    13. Kumar, Pankaj & Pal, Nitai & Sharma, Himanshu, 2022. "Optimization and techno-economic analysis of a solar photo-voltaic/biomass/diesel/battery hybrid off-grid power generation system for rural remote electrification in eastern India," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 247(C).
    14. Montuori, Lina & Alcázar-Ortega, Manuel & Álvarez-Bel, Carlos & Domijan, Alex, 2014. "Integration of renewable energy in microgrids coordinated with demand response resources: Economic evaluation of a biomass gasification plant by Homer Simulator," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 15-22.
    15. Martins, Guilherme Santos & Giesbrecht, Mateus, 2021. "Clearness index forecasting: A comparative study between a stochastic realization method and a machine learning algorithm," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 180(C), pages 787-805.
    16. Weisser, Daniel, 2007. "A guide to life-cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from electric supply technologies," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 32(9), pages 1543-1559.
    17. Shahzad, M. Kashif & Zahid, Adeem & ur Rashid, Tanzeel & Rehan, Mirza Abdullah & Ali, Muzaffar & Ahmad, Mueen, 2017. "Techno-economic feasibility analysis of a solar-biomass off grid system for the electrification of remote rural areas in Pakistan using HOMER software," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 264-273.
    18. Kuno, Amanuel Kachiko & Begna, Nafbek & Mebratu, Fisaha, 2023. "A feasibility analysis of PV-based off-grid rural electrification for a pastoral settlement in Ethiopia," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Adnan, Muflih A. & Hossain, Mohammad M. & Kibria, Md Golam, 2020. "Biomass upgrading to high-value chemicals via gasification and electrolysis: A thermodynamic analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 1367-1379.
    2. Ali Eliasu & Nana Sarfo Agyemang Derkyi & Samuel Gyamfi, 2022. "Techno-Economic Analysis of Municipal Solid Waste Gasification for Electricity Generation," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 12(1), pages 342-348.
    3. Ribó-Pérez, David & Herraiz-Cañete, Ángela & Alfonso-Solar, David & Vargas-Salgado, Carlos & Gómez-Navarro, Tomás, 2021. "Modelling biomass gasifiers in hybrid renewable energy microgrids; a complete procedure for enabling gasifiers simulation in HOMER," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 174(C), pages 501-512.
    4. Konneh, Keifa Vamba & Adewuyi, Oludamilare Bode & Gamil, Mahmoud M. & Fazli, Agha Mohammad & Senjyu, Tomonobu, 2023. "A scenario-based multi-attribute decision making approach for optimal design of a hybrid off-grid system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).
    5. Marco Pastori & Angel Udias & Luigi Cattaneo & Magda Moner-Girona & Awa Niang & Cesar Carmona-Moreno, 2021. "Bioenergy Potential of Crop Residues in the Senegal River Basin: A Cropland–Energy–Water-Environment Nexus Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-23, October.
    6. Adu-Poku, Akwasi & Koku Aidam, God'sable Sitsofe & Jackson, Godfrey Atta & N'tsoukpoe, Kokouvi Edem & Kponyo, Jerry John & Messan, Adamah & Ikonne, Ozioma & Kwarteng, Wofa & Kemausuor, Francis, 2023. "Performance assessment and resilience of solar mini-grids for sustainable energy access in Ghana," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 285(C).
    7. Ortega-Arriaga, P. & Babacan, O. & Nelson, J. & Gambhir, A., 2021. "Grid versus off-grid electricity access options: A review on the economic and environmental impacts," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    8. Yi, Ji Hyun & Ko, Woong & Park, Jong-Keun & Park, Hyeongon, 2018. "Impact of carbon emission constraint on design of small scale multi-energy system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 161(C), pages 792-808.
    9. Yiqi Dong & Zuoji Dong, 2023. "Bibliometric Analysis of Game Theory on Energy and Natural Resource," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-19, January.
    10. Zhang, Ruirui & Wang, Guiling & Shen, Xiaoxu & Wang, Jinfeng & Tan, Xianfeng & Feng, Shoutao & Hong, Jinglan, 2020. "Is geothermal heating environmentally superior than coal fired heating in China?," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    11. Emblemsvåg, Jan, 2022. "Wind energy is not sustainable when balanced by fossil energy," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 305(C).
    12. Kumar, Indraneel & Tyner, Wallace E. & Sinha, Kumares C., 2016. "Input–output life cycle environmental assessment of greenhouse gas emissions from utility scale wind energy in the United States," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 294-301.
    13. Kim, Dongin & Han, Jeehoon, 2020. "Comprehensive analysis of two catalytic processes to produce formic acid from carbon dioxide," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 264(C).
    14. Michael O. Ukoba & Ogheneruona E. Diemuodeke & Mohammed Alghassab & Henry I. Njoku & Muhammad Imran & Zafar A. Khan, 2020. "Composite Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis for Optimization of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems for Geopolitical Zones in Nigeria," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-27, July.
    15. Liang, Shuang & Liao, Yanfen & Zhang, Tongyu & Yang, Hailong & Wang, Tingwei, 2024. "Mechanism of lattice oxygen migration in decarburized Fe-based oxygen carriers to chemical looping gasification," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 236(C).
    16. Zhou, Jianguo & Xu, Zhongtian, 2023. "Optimal sizing design and integrated cost-benefit assessment of stand-alone microgrid system with different energy storage employing chameleon swarm algorithm: A rural case in Northeast China," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 202(C), pages 1110-1137.
    17. Zhen, Xudong & Wang, Yang, 2013. "Study of ignition in a high compression ratio SI (spark ignition) methanol engine using LES (large eddy simulation) with detailed chemical kinetics," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 549-558.
    18. Yu, Shiwei & Wei, Yi-Ming & Guo, Haixiang & Ding, Liping, 2014. "Carbon emission coefficient measurement of the coal-to-power energy chain in China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 290-300.
    19. Terfa, H. & Baghli, L. & Bhandari, R., 2022. "Impact of renewable energy micro-power plants on power grids over Africa," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(PA).
    20. Muhammad Bilal Ali & Syed Ali Abbas Kazmi & Abdullah Altamimi & Zafar A. Khan & Mohammed A. Alghassab, 2023. "Decarbonizing Telecommunication Sector: Techno-Economic Assessment and Optimization of PV Integration in Base Transceiver Stations in Telecom Sector Spreading across Various Geographically Regions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-34, April.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:377:y:2025:i:pb:s0306261924018294. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/405891/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.