Potential of biomass gasification for power generation: An assessment of Madhya Pradesh, India

Biomass gasification process utilized for various applications including power generation, which provides an attractive alternative of energy security for communities particularly in rural and remote areas. The process of gasification also helps in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, wider application of biomass gasification technology is limited due to a number of reasons. Biomass-based energy has several distinct advantages such as wide accessibility and homogeneous distribution that place it ahead among the renewable energy options for India. Present paper discussed the potentiality of biomass in Madhya Pradesh with a variety of technical options for biomass gasification-based low-, medium- and large-scale power generation. Lastly, some case studies of biomass-based power generation for meeting energy needs, thermal and electrical, technical and economic challenges have been discussed.