Space Engineering Company. The gasifier will consume approximately 200 kg/hr which amount to 600 metric tons per year. A
KHED03004
BIOMASS GASIFICATION FOR OFF-GRID RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AND DEVELOPMENT Providing electricity in 2 villages in Tanzania by utilizing biomass Only a small percentage of Tanzania’s rural population has access to electricity, which contributes to their poverty. The Government of Tanzania is encouraging companies and individuals to invest in small scale renewable energy technologies in rural areas. It also allows independent power producers to generate electricity including biomass gasification, which can provide a reliable method to provide electricity. Space Engineering Company will install a gasification plant, which will be a pilot project to test this technology with the aim of wider distribution within the country. Biomass gasification technology can potentially reach up to 80% of the Tanzanian population who live in rural villages.
Daey Ouwens Fund for Small-Scale Renewable Energy Projects
A 120 kW biomass gasifier power plant showing the gasifier unit, gas cleaning system and the engine-generator assembly
The Project The project will be implemented in the Kimanzichana and Mwalusaga villages in Mkuranga District about 70 km from the City of Dar es Salaam. The total population is 28,000 people comprised of 6,000 households. Their main source of income is through cultivation of cassava, rice, coconuts, beans and cashew nuts. The project aims to set up a 120 kW biomass gasifier plant to produce electricity by utilizing agricultural wastes and forest residues. The technology has been successfully used for over 20 years in India for rural electrification. Electricity will be distributed by a local mini-grid system independent from the national electricity network. The project aims to demonstrate the technical feasibility and financial viability of gasification technology in Africa. The Gasifier Power Plant The 120 kW gasifier is supplied by Ankur Scientific Energy Technologies of India and includes a reactor and a gas cleaning and water treatment plant. A biomass processor will be manufactured locally by Space Engineering Company. The gasifier will consume approximately 200 kg/hr which amount to 600 metric tons per year. A standard procedure for the power plant operation will be established and enforced for safe and successful operation. A local grid will be erected and provide electricity to individual homes and microGoal To improve quality of life in rural enterprises. village communities by generating electricity using locally available biomass resources in a sustainable way to meet energy demands in order to reduce poverty. Project duration 2011-2013 Budget € 320,000
Community Involvement Capacity building will be a crucial element of the project and will determine the rate of success of village biomass gasification. Training of local technicians and operators will be necessary to have problems resolved quickly to keep electricity consumers satisfied. A V illage Energy Committee will be formed to take decisions on various operational and maintenance issues. This committee will also focus on continuous successful running of the gasifier and ensure timely collection of revenue from electricity users so that the project can sustain itself financially.
The Project Initiator Space Engineering Company was established in 1991 and registered as a machine shop for design and manufacture of agricultural equipment. Since 2003 the company’s core business is the development of biomass technology and has been actively involved in the development, manufacturing and dissemination of biomass briquettes and gasifier stoves in Tanzania. Space Engineering Company will provide management and trained staff to operate the plants and all technical support matters. The maintenance of the energy supply will be owned jointly by Space Engineering Company and the V illage Energy Committee. Project cont act: Mr Peter Mt ui of Space Engineering Company, E-mail: plmt
[email protected] and t el: +255 754 620473
