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)

1
 Content
Introduction
Mission
Scope
– Possible Process Overview
Challenges
Opportunities
Biomass
Bio-Energy Assessment
Follow up

2
 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

3
 Introduction
Sugar cane scenario overview (1)

350
production (x1000 metric

300
250
tons)

200
150
100
50
0
1990
1991
1992
1993

1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
Years

Sugar Cane Sugar Molasses

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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

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*2004 figures
 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

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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

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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

9
Possible Process Overview
- Labour Sugarcane MSW
- Machinery
- Fertilzers
- Land
- Transport Tipping fee?
X US$/ton

Separation
X US$/ton
What is price/ton in the
Caribbean region?

X US$/ton

Sugar juice Bagasse Biowaste stream

Excess bagasse?
Gasifier
Process heat Combustion (other bioconversion
technologies)

Ethanol Electricity Fly Ash / Fertilizer

X m3 X US$/kWh 10
X US$/m3
Current electricity price St. Kitts?
 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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 Conversion
Biomass
Feedstock Harvesting and Conversion Utilization
Supply Handling Thermochemical Biopower
•Collection •Combustion •Process and Space Heating
• Residues •Power generation
•Processing •Gasification
• Dedicated •Storage •Pyrolysis Biofuels
Crops •Transportation •Other •Ethanol
Biochemical •Biodiesel
•Methanol
•Anaerobic (fermentation)
•Pyrolisis liquids
•Anaerobic Digestion
•Biogas (methane + CO2) including
•Alcohol Fermentation digester and landfill gas
•Aerobic •Synthesis gases (CO + H2)(for
•Composting further refinement to liquid/gaseous
•Activated fuels)
(oxygenated) waste •Hydrogen
treatment •Charcoal
•Direct Hydrogen •Biomass solids
Physicochemical •Others
•Oil extraction Bioproducts
• Hydrocarbon extraction •Citric and other acids
•Composite materials
•Fertilizer
•Fibers
•Lubricants
•Others
•Pesticides
•Structural materials 15
•Surfactants
 Biomass
Conversions of interest
Conversion Utilization
Thermochemical Biopower
•Combustion •Electrical Power Generation
Feedstock •Process Heating
•Gasification
•Other Biofuels
•Synthesis gases (CO + H2) (for
Biochemical
further refinement to liquid/gaseous
•Anaerobic Digestion
fuels)
•Alcohol Fermentation •Biogas (methane + CO2) including
Physicochemical digester gas
•Oil extraction •Ethanol
•Biodiesel
•Others
Bioproducts (chemicals and
materials
•Fertilizer

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 hydrogen—synthesis gas or syngas.
Biochemical: relies on the abilities of specific microorganisms to convert
biomass components to useful liquids and gases, as ethanol or methane. 16
 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

21
 Bio Energy Assessment
Technology identification
•Direct contact with experts and
manufacturers
•Literature reviews and existing expertise

22
 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
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