Biomass To Energy Potential On St' Kitts

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Biomass To Energy Potential On St. Kitts Nevis
Initial Stakeholders Meeting June13, 2006

• Mark Lambrides (OAS/DSD)
• K.H. De Cuba (OAS/DSD)
• M. Rivera-Ramirez (ESG)

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Content

• Introduction
• Mission
• Scope
• Possible Process Overview
• Challenges
• Opportunities
• Biomass
• Bio-Energy Assessment
• Follow up

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Introduction

• Justifications for Bio-Energy Assessment
• Shutdown of the sugar industry
• Unemployment
• Decreased sources of income
• Recent increase in sugar prices
• Current waste management
• Health impacts
• Environmental impacts
• High energy prices
• High cost of diesel import for electricity
  generation
• High cost of transportation fuels
• Dependent on external geo-political forces

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Introduction

• Sugar cane scenario overview (1)

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Introduction

• Sugar cane scenario overview (2)

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Introduction

• Current energy scenario overview

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Introduction

• Current waste scenario overview

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Mission

• Find if there is reliable biomass feedstock
  supply for long term production
• Highlight commercially viable biomass to energy
  conversion approach
• Outline strategy for public-private partnership
  to develop biomass to energy
• Attract commercially proven developers to
  consider investment approach in SKN

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Scope

• Focused on sugarcane and municipal waste biomass
  availability on St. Kitts
• Focus on liquid biofuel and electric power
  production
• Potential for value-added products

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Possible Process Overview
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Challenges

• Economies of scale
• Modest biomass feedstock availability
• Biomass conversion technologies
• Land use competition
• Information dissemination on sustainable
  alternatives
• Familiarity with current methods of production

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Opportunities

• Environmental/health benefits
• CO2 reduction
• Increased soil fertility
• Sanitary issues
• Job provision
• Existence of skilled labor force
• Energy security
• Economic
• Avoided investment cost No need for additional
  landfill/waste management alternatives
• Decreased expenditures on electricity
• Diversification of economic activities

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Biomass

• Definition and Sources
• Organic matter, matter from any living organism
• Animal/human waste
• Food crops
• Grassy and woody plants
• Residues from agriculture or forestry
• Organic component of municipal and industrial
  wastes

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Biomass

• As a renewable fuel
• No net carbon emissions
• Carbon dioxide released when biomass is used as
  fuel is balanced by the carbon dioxide captured
  when the biomass is grown

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Biomass

• Conversion

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Biomass

• Conversions of interest

Combustion direct-fired systems. They burn
bio-energy feedstocks directly. Gasification
biomass is heated with no oxygen or only about
one-third the oxygen needed for efficient
combustion. Biomass then gasifies to a mixture
of carbon monoxide and hydrogensynthesis gas or
syngas. Biochemical relies on the abilities of
specific microorganisms to convert biomass
components to useful liquids and gases, as
ethanol or methane.
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Bio Energy Assessment

• Objective
• Financial and economic analysis of a potential
  Domestic Bio-Energy Programme to test its
  commercially sustainability

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Bio Energy Assessment

• Methodology
• Resource assessment (supply and demand)
• Technology identification
• Evaluate economic and financial feasibility of
  technologies given the resource availability

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Bio Energy Assessment

• Resource Assessment (1)
• Agricultural crops
• Sugarcane or palm oil
• Characteristics of sugar cane
• Yields and land
• Collection, processing, and transport
• Residues generated
• Storage

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Bio Energy Assessment

• Resource Assessment (2)
• Municipal Solid Waste and Sewage Sludge
• Characteristics of waste
• Quantities
• Collection and treatment
• Waste landfill capacity

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Bio Energy Assessment

• Resource Assessment (3)
• Additional market data
• Energy Needs Assessment
• Current consumption
• Local markets for products

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Bio Energy Assessment

• Technology identification
• Direct contact with experts and manufacturers
• Literature reviews and existing expertise

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Bio Energy Assessment

• Economic and financial feasibility
• Utilize feedstock supply, conversion and market
  data elements to evaluate feasibility of Domestic
  Bio-Energy Programme

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Follow Up

• Bio-energy as part of the Sustainable Energy Plan
  (SEP)
• Legislation
• Social benefits
• Institutional capacity
• Power purchase agreements
• Investors workshop

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Follow Up

• Plans for the assessment
• Remainder of this week
• Data gathering interviews with stakeholders in
  St. Kitts and Nevis
• Preparation of preliminary assessment
• Draft expected by end of August
• Stakeholder review and comment on draft
• Presentation of findings
• Initiative to facilitate development