* School of Energy Studies, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
Department of Processing and Food Engineering, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
Online published on 20 March, 2012.
The spatial and temporal distribution of biomass potential from crop residues and agro industrial waste was studied at block level for power generations using Geographical Information System (GIS). The change in biomass intensity, cropping intensity and % age area under different crops over a period of time were also studied. The total potential of biomass in Punjab was 54.54 million tonnes. The average biomass intensity in Punjab increased over the years from 11.20 to 14.14 tonne/ha, the increase was due to increase in cropping intensity and also the change in area and production of major contributors of biomass. The surplus biomass for energy generation is estimated at block level and it is found that out of the total biomass potential about 55% of biomass is surplus for energy generation. The major contributors of surplus biomass are paddy straw & paddy husk 74.42% followed by wheat straw 22.99% and cotton stalks 2%.
Biomass, Energy from biomass, Geographical Information System, Power generation, Spatial distribution
