GIS Based Spatial Modelling for Cost Optimized Energy Generation from Biomass

A GIS-based modelling system was developed for cost optimization of energy generation, and for sample analyses of the spatial distribution of biomass potential from crop residues and agro-industrial waste at block level in Punjab. The interface between GIS and Visual basic was developed for calculating optimized size and location of primary collection centres and energy generation centres for biomass management. A non-linear optimization technique using simplex method was adopted for cost optimization through coding in GIS-VB interface. Total potential estimate of biomass for power generation in Punjab was 30.27 Mt, major contribution being from paddy straw (65.13%), wheat straw (22.73%), paddy husk (8.44%) and cotton stalk (1.88%). Total potential power generation from surplus biomass was estimated to be 2000 MW. The biomass intensity of surplus biomass for energy generation varied between 2.25 t.ha⁻¹ and 11.07 t.ha⁻¹. The total biomass requirement per year for a 10 MW plant was estimated. The biomass management model successfully suggested the location of various power plants and collection centres as also optimised sizes of the collection centres.