Electric power from cane residues in Thailand : a technical and economic analysis

Following discussions with representatives of government agencies and the sugar industry, the team traveled to the central and eastern regions of the country, visiting eleven mills, two cane growers" associations, and an agricultural extension station. The team was also able to observe harvest and transport operations in several locations. After examining a number of alternative products and their markets, the team concluded that the most attractive option for the Thai sugar industry would be the generation of electricity for sale to the national grid during the off season, i.e., when the mills are not grinding cane and can devote their boilers and turbines exclusively to this purpose. For fuel the team recommends the use of cane residues, the tops and leaves left in the field after the harvest (also known as cane "trash"). This report contains a detailed analysis of the technical and economic considerations that would have to be taken into account should the Thai industry choose to begin generating electricity for sale as a commercial product. (Author abstract)