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)

Area under cultivation 7,000 acres
Quantity produced 170, 000 tons
Molasses 5,000 tons
Sugar production 14,000 tons
Efficiency 8.24 tons sugar/tons of sugarcane
Typical efficiencies 11.2 tons sugar/tons of sugarcane
Sugar price
Current average world sugar price .17 US/lb

Unemployment post closure 2,000 people
2004 figures
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Introduction

• Current energy scenario overview

Current installed capacity 33.5 MW (2005)
Peak demand 20 MW
Firm capacity 19 MW
Demand Growth from 2005-2015 84.5

Average electricity price in St. Kitts .169 US/kWh (2005)
Average electricity price in USA .076 US/kWh (2004)
At diesel fuel cost of 1.588 US/gal, currently diesel fuel cost is 3.37 US/gal At diesel fuel cost of 1.588 US/gal, currently diesel fuel cost is 3.37 US/gal
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Introduction

• Current waste scenario overview

Quantity produced 17,241 tons/year
Predicted landfill capacity 14 years
Current landfill capacity 8 years
Organic fraction of waste Due to new land developments, without treatment or separation of waste streams Organic fraction of waste Due to new land developments, without treatment or separation of waste streams
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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