Techno-economic assessment of triticale straw for power generation

Triticale, a hybrid between wheat and rye, has gained the attention of researchers as a feasible future energy crop for Canada. The study focuses on development of data intensive techno-economic model for assessment of triticale straw-based electricity generation, its optimum size and the GHG abatement potential through substitution of coal-based power on a commercial scale. Each of the unit operations required for utilization of triticale straw to power generation are developed and assessed. Direct combustion is the power generation technology considered due to its reliability and large-scale commercial availability. The cost of triticale straw-based power production via direct combustion is in the range of $76.33 ± 4.76/MW h, at a boiler unit size of 300 MW. The estimated carbon credit required for triticale straw based power plant to be competitive with coal based power is $16.4/MgCO2e. When the unit size of plant is unlimited, the optimum size of power plant and the cost of power are 595 MW and $75.02/MW h, respectively.

► The paper estimates the optimum size and cost of triticale straw based electricity production.
► Data intensive techno-economic models were developed including feedstocks supply and logistics.
► The average power cost at optimum size of 300 MW plant is $76.33/MW h.
► The carbon credit requirements at different plant capacities have also been studied.