Design of a biomass power plant for a major commercial cluster in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

The Nigerian electricity supply industry is currently under reforms, due to inadequate power supply to meet basic needs. Current government policy favours the development of alternative and renewable energy options to meet the shortfalls in electricity supply. The paper presents a proposal for the establishment of a biomass power plant at the Sango plank market, a major commercial cluster in lbadan. Field studies showed that the plank market generates a biomass feed of sawdust and wood chips of 25, 000tonnes/year. The paper proposes the establishment of a 10MW direct combustion conversion process, biomass power plant at a capital investment of $1.77 million. Based on standard accounting practices, the generating cost of the plant was estimated at $0.56/kWh. Based on the Annual cost and present worth method the study also found the biomass plant more economical viable than using equivalent diesel generating plants. The study concludes by showing the economical and environmental benefits of setting up the biomass to the Sango community.