Energy and GHG emission reduction potential of power generation from sugarcane residues in Thailand

Electric power production using biomass residues from agricultural production using high efficiency electricity generation technologies would reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and contribute to climate change mitigation. This study investigated the case of the sugar industry in Thailand and identified scenarios offering GHG emissions reduction benefits. Electricity generation potential from using sugarcane residues and/or upgrading power generation systems represent beneficial options. The largest potential of electricity export to the national grid can be achieved by upgrading boiler systems of all sugar mills to 103 bar and 515 °C. Using 19% of the generated sugarcane tops and leaves along with bagasse can generate 9 TWh electricity and would reduce GHG emissions by 4.8 Mt CO2 equivalent a year. The economic analysis shows that using high steam pressure boiler configurations for power generation results in substantial reduction in production cost and increase in benefit.