Renewable energy from biomass surplus resource: potential of power generation from rice straw in Vietnam

Abstract

Biomass, one of the renewable resources, is expected to play an important role in the world’s energy future. In Asia, rice straw is an abundant agricultural surplus because rice is one of the leading staple food crops in the region. Often, rice straw is burned directly in the field via uncontrolled combustion methods that emit large amounts of short-lived air pollutants, greenhouse gases, and other pollutants. In Vietnam, the energy and environment protection sectors are facing great challenges because of rapid urbanisation and industrialisation. A national strategic choice is to exploit renewable energy, including biomass-derived energy, to achieve energy security and CO2 emission reduction. This study investigates the potential of rice straw as an energy source for power plants at a local scale in Vietnam using data derived from satellite Sentinel-1 images. The results show that Vietnam can produce 2,565 MW from rice straw, for which 24 out of 63 provinces have a potential capacity higher than 30 MW, and the Kien Giang province has the highest capacity (245 MW). The study also analyses limitations and obstacles overcoming which can promote the biomass energy sector in the country.

Community Capacity-Building Mobilization towards Energy Transitions in the Era of Thailand 4.0: A Case Study on Biomass Power Plants

“…This study attempted to present the common clues between environmental impact and social acceptance to sustainable biomass power plants [29], including the limitations and obstacles, similar to the others [30]. However, it is deeply intended to precisely describe the social aspects and is community-driven in order to live in harmony with the biomass power generation.…”

The main problems of using biomass as a fuel

“…In the 21st century, oil, gas and products of their processing will play a decisive role in the world fuel and energy balance. This fact is confirmed by a large number of publications [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. The fact that the main reserves of oil and gas are concentrated in a limited number of regions, mainly in the Middle East and Russia will have a significant impact on the world economic system now and in the long term.…”

Solid Biomass Energy Potential as a Development Opportunity for Rural Communities

“…However, it accounted for the largest part (38.18%) of the local solid biomass energy potential, 37,288 GJ y −1 (Table 4, Figure 2). Moreover, maintaining food supply and soil quality while acquiring the straw necessary to replace fossil fuels is of key importance (straw use for energy generation is enabled by pellet or briquet technology) [87,88]. For this reason, the current study (quantitatively determining energy potential) took into account the straw residue depending on its use in agriculture-as straw for fodder, for bedding or to be ploughed under.…”