Analysis of the Crucial Factors in Biomass Electricity Generation

Abstract

Panama has an electric matrix dominated by the generation of energy with hydroelectric power plants that, although it is true we have a great potential for water exploitation, the abuse of this resource can generate environmental and social impacts in the country. On the other hand, the use of fossil fuels increases CO2 emissions in addition to the notorious signs of scarcity of this raw material worldwide. The country requires a search for new effective energy generation alternatives and allow an industrial development that, in turn, does not contribute to the existing environmental and social effects. This research presents an analysis of the crucial factors to be considered for biomass to generate electricity through a combined cycle thermoelectric power plant. Technical, economic, social, and environmental aspects are evaluated to define different stages covered by the generation process and it is considered convenient to treat urban solid waste from the Cerro Patacon landfill to be implemented as the plant’s raw material using gasification techniques. Under the conditions of the country, the results show that there is a potential profitability of the system when working within the hectares considered for the future stages of the Cerro Patacon landfill with 1000 tons of waste per day. Among the main conclusions, it should be noted that there is a high percentage of moisture in solid waste from the landfill and therefore a significant amount of the gross energy generated for the drying of the raw material is needed in order to optimize the gasification.