Green Energy Transition Using Torrefied and Treated Biomass in Indian Thermal Power Plants

Abstract

The present work examines the prospects of using biomass-based fuels for the complete replacement of coal in Indian pulverized coal thermal power plants (PC-TPPs) without substantial plant modifications. Replacing coal with biomass-based fuel is the fastest way to green energy transition with several associated benefits like air quality improvement, waste elimination, and reduction of other harmful emissions. It also avoids the need for storage peculiar to high levels of renewable grid integration using solar and wind. However, substituting biomass-based fuels for coal requires them to have similar properties. We investigated torrefaction and washing of biomass wastes with parameter and treatment variations. Results indicate that the fuel properties of rice straw after torrefaction and washing resemble domestic Indian coal, and it can potentially replace the coal completely in large thermal power plants. Similarly, other biomasses studied, viz. Lantana camara, grass and tree leaf litter can replace imported coal.