Adaptation of Biomass Based Thermal Energy Generation of Sri Lankan Manufacturing Sector: Paragon for Policy Development

Biomass based thermal energy generation has become more popular among the Sri Lankan manufacturers in the last decade due to two core issues like alleviation of fuel cost, contributing towards high manufacturing cost and adaption as green energy source thereby to implement as a climate change mitigation project. Even though this trend prevails currently, there are some ambiguities for the step-in industries related to supply chain of biomass, sources of technical knowhow and maintenance, government policy changes etc. However there are several government (Sustainable Energy Authority, NERD) and non-government organizations (Biomass Energy Association), which involve in promoting biomass as a source of fuel for thermal energy generation, there are many inexplicable problems which will hinder renewable mode of energy generation in future unless a proper study is carried out to determine the highlighted key issues. Therefore, this research is carried out in order to identify the level of adaptability of biomass as a fuel in the local manufacturing sector and corresponding problems, thereby to develop a model which can be utilized for policy development in the future. Methodology consists of several phases; in the first phase, surveys were conducted for different manufacturing sectors, which have adapted this technology recently, through a structured survey which covered supply chain management, maintenance issues, health and safety and history in related to biomass. In the next phase, data gathered through surveys were analyzed based on several aspects. Finally, a paragon model was developed and presented to guide policy developers in future.