Abstract

GONZALEZ, Jerson et al. Financial evaluation of 2 MW electricity generation from forest biomass in Costa Rica. Kurú [online]. 2018, vol.15, suppl.1, pp.37-44.  Epub July 19, 2019. ISSN 2215-2504.  http://dx.doi.org/10.18845/rfmk.v15i1.3709.

The implementation of biomass as an energy source in Costa Rica has been promoted in the last decade due to the increase of fossil fuels and climatic variations that have decreased hydropower energy production, increasing the kilowatt cost per hour in the market. Therefore, this study analyzes the financial viability of 2 MW generation from forest biomass. The study evaluated the best electric generation system with biomass (direct combustion and gasification), the source of optimal biomass supply (self-generation, market or mixed purchase) and the financial feasibility of energy produced in two scenarios (selling electricity to ICE and self-consumption). The implementation of vertical type gasifiers (downdraft) showed greater viability due to its high efficiency, low waste generation and less biomass consumption over time; on the other hand, it was determined that the best source for biomass supply is purchasing in the domestic market (40 USD/ton dry biomass) due to its current low cost of acquisition; however it would be advisable in the long-term to have a mixed system (self-supply and market purchase) to have less dependence on the market price changes. Finally, financial analysis showed viability for consumption generation (ranging from 5 %, TIR of 17.68 % and RB/C of 1.82), whereas energy production with the intent of selling it to ICE was not found viable (VAN of -2.0 %, TIR of -21.15% and R B/C of 1.07) due to the low energy purchase value of this entity.

Keywords : Energy; biomass; financial feasibility; VAN; TIR; downdraft.

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