Assessment of Seasonal Availability and Spatial Distribution of Bio-feedstock for Power Generation in Thailand

This paper presents an assessment of the utilization potential of biomass residues for grid-connected power generation in Thailand, including the spatial distribution and seasonal variation of biomass residues and energy potential. The levelized costs of electricity (LCOE) in various scenarios were also estimated. The residues of up to 17 studied crops were selected depending on the regions. ArcGIS was used as the tool for assessing and mapping the biomass potential. The potential of grid-connected power generation was assessed based on a biomass-fired power plant, the seasonal availability of crop residues by region, and the location of the electrical substations. Based on a 50% of collection factor (base case), the total energy potential of the available biomass residues was 11,299 ktoe year(-1), which can generate 5019 MW (30,491 GWh year(-1)) of power and had LCOEs for power plant capacities of 5 to 9 MW in the range of US$77.72 to 87.66 MWh(-1). The results also show that 17.3 MtCO(2) year(-1)of GHG emissions could be avoided with the abatement cost ranging from -US$89.36 to - 115.83 tCO(2)(-1). According to Thailand's PDP2018, the estimated electricity generation potential was approximately 8.3% of forecasted electricity demand in 2037. The improvement of the collection factor by up to 75%, the power generated, and the GHG emissions avoided were about 1.5 times higher than the base case. These findings are useful for the management, promotion, and zoning of biomass utilization for power generation.

Automated summary

This study assessed the utilization potential of biomass residues for grid-connected power generation in Thailand by analyzing the spatial distribution and seasonal variation of biomass residues, estimating the levelized costs of electricity in various scenarios. The results showed that biomass residues have great potential for power generation and greenhouse gas emissions reduction.