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)

Content
Introduction
Mission
Scope
Possible Process Overview

Challenges
Opportunities
Biomass
Bio-Energy Assessment
Follow up
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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
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Introduction
Sugar cane scenario overview (1)

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

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

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

Possible Process Overview

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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
Feedstock
Supply
Residues
Dedicated
Crops

Harvesting and
Handling
Collection
Processing
Storage
Transportation

Biomass
Conversion
Thermochemical
Combustion
Gasification
Pyrolysis
Other
Biochemical
Anaerobic (fermentation)
Anaerobic Digestion
Alcohol Fermentation
Aerobic
Composting
Activated
(oxygenated) waste
treatment
Direct Hydrogen
Physicochemical
Oil extraction
Hydrocarbon extraction

Utilization
Biopower
Process and Space Heating
Power generation
Biofuels
Ethanol
Biodiesel
Methanol
Pyrolisis liquids
Biogas (methane + CO2) including
digester and landfill gas
Synthesis gases (CO + H2)(for
further refinement to liquid/gaseous
fuels)
Hydrogen
Charcoal
Biomass solids
Others
Bioproducts
Citric and other acids
Composite materials
Fertilizer
Fibers
Lubricants
Others
Pesticides
Structural materials
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Surfactants

Biomass

Conversions of interest
Feedstock

Conversion
Thermochemical
Combustion
Gasification
Other
Biochemical
Anaerobic Digestion
Alcohol Fermentation
Physicochemical
Oil extraction

Utilization
Biopower
Electrical Power Generation
Process Heating
Biofuels
Synthesis gases (CO + H2) (for
further refinement to liquid/gaseous
fuels)
Biogas (methane + CO2) including
digester gas
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 hydrogensynthesis gas or syngas.
Biochemical: relies on the abilities of specific microorganisms to convert
biomass components to useful liquids and gases, as ethanol or methane.

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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

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Bio Energy Assessment

Technology identification
Direct contact with experts and
manufacturers
Literature reviews and existing expertise

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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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