Biomass - Energy Toolbox

Grid Connection and Off Grid Generation

In this Section we look at some of the issues that relate to the linkage of dendro-power units to the grid or to their operation as a free-standing off grid unit. Sri Lanka has a national grid that covers the majority of the country, with the exception of the north. The current coverage is also given in the map below:-

This is powered by a combination of hydro-powered units and a growing number of thermal power units operating from imported oil as a natural ceiling is reached on any further major expansion of the country's hydro resources. New policy has restricted the addition of any further oil-based power units and instead has set out to encourage the use of coal as the third major source of energy; however this will need to be imported . The Government has accepted that there must be a growing role for renewables and regards dendropower as one to be supported.

The production of electrical power from biomass can be achieved in three ways: -

1. Direct Combustion Systems (Steam Turbine Technology)
2. Gasification (Internal Combustion Engine technology)
3. Integrated gasification Combined cycle Technology

Gasification is the controlled chemical breakdown of biomass into a mixture of gases (including hydrogen and methane) that can be used as a source of energy.

A short note on the gasification process can be viewed to more fully explain the chemical process involved in gasification.
View Note [PDF 140Kb]

An examination of the policy and technical issues related to the Grid and off-grid generation can be accessed here [PDF 254Kb].