Energy Efficiency, Solar PV and Biomass Based Systems for Energy Demand and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Potential of a Food Processing Plant /

Abstract

This paper presents a comparative analysis of renewable energy (solar PV and biomass-based systems) and energy efficiency in an industrial site for the sake of reduction in energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions. The energy assessment of a poultry processing plant (evaluated under a defined selection criteria) has been carried out to identify the energy demand of the industry. Furthermore, a breakdown of significant energy uses is presented and loads that can be assessed under the renewable energy and energy efficiency scenarios are identified. Results of the energy assessment showed that the cooling and refrigeration is the most energy intensive unit in a poultry processing plant with approx. 75% of overall electricity consumption. A techno economic analysis is then carried out to assess different sustainable energy options for reduction in energy demand and GHG emissions. Three types of systems,1) solar PV, 2) biomass- wood pellets and 3) cofiring of biomass has been assessed and compared with the base case. Solar PV system is further assessed under technical (Tracking and fixed tilt) and financial (company owned and bank financed) scenarios. Tracking solar PV system has higher energy production and a shorter payback period as compared to fixed tilt system. It is found that both solar PV scenarios, company owned, and bank financed, have shown 6.2 % of total annual energy saving and 7.4 % GHG emission reduction potential with an equity payback period of 3.3 and 1 yrs. respectively as compared to the business-as-usual case. On the other hand, wood pellets-based biomass scenario has shown a significant GHG emissions reduction potential of 57 % as compared to business-as-usual scenario with payback period of 1.3 yrs. Cofiring of biomass in existing coal boiler has also proven itself a good low cost measure to mitigate emissions It is then concluded that, for a large-scale industrial setup, a biomass based system can be a better choice both in terms of cost effectiveness, energy demand reduction and greenhouse gas emissions reduction as compared to solar PV system.