Session: 10-01 Hydrogen Energy, Alternative Fuels, Bioenergy, and Biofuels

Paper Number: 107125

107125 - Design Strategies for Biomass-Based CHP Systems in Rural Communities Strategies for Biomass-Based Chp System in Rural Communities 

Unreliable electricity supply and constrained heating networks are major challenges facing rural communities. By producing two forms of energy from a single process, combined heat and power (CHP) systems can alleviate these energy security issues by utilizing readily available biomass resources in rural areas. Biomass-fueled CHP (b-CHP) systems can effectively reduce energy costs and consumption while having a minimal environmental impact. This paper presents strategies for the design process of b-CHP systems and insights on the factors to take into account for sustainable operation. For biomass to compete with fossil fuels, the selection of optimal system component sizes and operational strategies is necessary to satisfy the varying electric and thermal demand patterns of consumers. The system performance must be evaluated in relation to a range of biofuel, fossil fuel, and grid utility prices in a specific location. The comparative analysis of the b-CHP system with traditional separate heat and power generation in terms of performance parameters such as operational cost (OC), primary energy consumption (PEC), and carbon dioxide emission (CDE) can be used to determine the ideal plant design. From the economic standpoint of biomass-fueled CHP systems, the net metering policy is another crucial factor. Therefore, an investigation of the b-CHP system with and without net metering is also necessary. With properly assessed and designed b-CHP systems, rural areas can increase their resilience and achieve energy independence.

Presenting Author: Krisha Maharjan Mississippi State University

Presenting Author Biography: Ms. Krisha Maharjan is a Ph.D. student and graduate research assistant in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Mississippi State University.