A multicriteria decision based assessment of agricultural solid wastes as potential feedstock for electricity generation in Nigeria

Abstract

An effective method of managing solid wastes from agricultural processing is through thermochemical conversion to energy-dense and carbon-neutral energy products; which relieves the issue of depleting global resources, solves the problem of over-reliance on fossil fuel, reduces the impact on the environment, and brings economic benefits. In this study, the suitability of agricultural solid wastes as potential feedstock for electricity generation in Nigeria via a combined pyrolysis–steam power plant technology was assessed. Technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution was used to identify the most appropriate raw material for electricity generation among the considered alternatives–rice husk, corncob, and palm kernel shell. These wastes showed high electricity generation potential (232–2077GWh per annum), high profitability index, and high carbon reduction benefit (about1428kg CO2 eq. /m3of bio-oil).