1.1 Introduction
Biomass is defined as organic material, available on renewable basis, which are produced directly or indirectly from living organisms without contamination from other substances or effluents. Biomass includes forest and mill residue, agricultural crops and wastes, wood and wood wastes, animal waste, livestock operation residues, aquatic plants, fast growing trees and plants, municipal and industrial waste. Biomass power, also called bio power, is electricity produced from biomass fuels. Biomass consists of plant materials and animal products. Biomass fuels include residues from food production and processing, trees and grasses grown specifically as energy crops, and gaseous fuels produced from solid biomass and wastes. Bio-power or biomass power is electricity produced from biomass fuels. Biomass – fired plants have been explored, both in developed and developing countries.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Numerous organizations throughout the world try to consider more economic methods for improvement of efficient use of biomass in electricity generation process. Currently, the amount of electricity produced from biomass than existing biomass energy is negligent. Biomass has been used as a thermal-energy carrier directly in supply of thermal energy and light, mentioned that it can be transformed to electricity via suitable motor generators. In addition to supply of the required energy of country, development of biomass power plants can come effective in resolving the huge crisis due to household wastes and different environmental organic pollutants such as solid and liquid pollutants followed by substantial economic and social outcomes, under which this potential renewable energy source cannot be simply neglected in energy macro decision makings and municipal solid waste management and recycling solutions.
Access to cheap energy sources in Iran has been considered as a serious barrier in trajectory of research and development of biomass power plants. But, considering environmental problems due to organic wastes and excessive cost considered for collection and disposal of them as well as considering the real energy price and value of oil products indicate that attention to biomass power plants in addition to suitable environmental outcomes besides energy generation has had the aspect for job creation, mentioned as a suitable alternative for oil products (Shahinfar et al., 2010). With regard to statements of Demirbas et al. (2009), processing and using biomass energy to supply fuel at power plants require development of technology and allocation of capital. In general, financing biomass power plants can be made through two ways. One of these ways is financing by owners of biomass sources and the other is acquisition of capital by domestic and foreign investors (Couture & Gagnon, 2010).
In most of cases, use of fossil fuels can be our only choice to feed electricity power plants, because supply of energy by means of fossil fuels is more economic. Use of fossil fuels has been mentioned with more reliability in which the latest art technology of electricity power plants has been used with this capability that its equipment can be installed easily and rapidly and it also can be made in micro and macro sizes. Further, conventional fossil fuels are abundant, having low price in most of countries throughout the world. Secondly, biomass electricity power plants have relied on technology of steam turbines which have low yield, and mentioned with high price for installation of such power plants. As fossil equipment is larger in these power plants, there are different problems for burning and starting to work in them than fossil fuels (Shahinfar et al., 2010).
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the process of Biomass Power Generation.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that one of the utmost challenges faced by developing countries is its energy sector. The epileptic power supply in some of these countries is becoming alarming and this is somewhat due to its over-reliance on fossil fuels which is not reliable enough to meet the energy needs of the populace. Adequate and efficient electricity supply is very essential for the proper functioning of the agricultural, industrial, and mining sectors of any nation.
If shortcoming, it negatively impacts the economic growth and development of the concerned country. Nigeria has the largest economy and market in Africa. It is well-endowed with rich natural resources viz. crude oil and natural gas, limestone, iron ore, coal, zinc, lead, tin, arable land including renewable energy sources which has the potential of solving energy needs of the country but these are underutilized (Terwase et al., 2014).
This not only renders the air unpleasant but also causes noise pollution and high energy cost. Also, unmet demand is high, particularly amongst the many citizens of the country who have no access to the grid and cannot afford off-grid power. Hence, the use of renewable energy could help to curb the erratic supply of electricity in the country and improve the health and safety of the environment.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to examine the process of Biomass Power Generation. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To examine the amount of consumption and the rate of importation of refined fuels;
- To determine the effectiveness biomass utilization for energy generation; and
- To assess and select the preferable and optimum biomass energy generation source using Analytic Network Process (ANP) for making an efficient Policy in electricity generation industry.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- How effective is biomass utilization for energy generation?
- What is the preferable and optimum biomass energy generation source?
- What is the amount of consumption and the rate of importation of refined fuels?
1.6 Significance of Study
This study will be of immense benefit to researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.7 Scope of the Study
The scope of the research is focused on the generation of electricity using biomass power technology.
1.8 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
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