Exploratory study on the cost of collecting and transporting rice straw for power generation plant: case of Nueva Ecija, Philippines
2014
Launio, C.C. | Siddayao, J.Y. | Manalili, R.G. | Beltran, J.C.
Rice straw remains largely an untapped waste in most rice-producing regions of the Philippines, although minimum amounts are being used as animal feed, mulch for vegetables, compost fertilizer, or substrate for mushroom production. Rice straw is now being considered as a potential renewable energy source. While it is available, an important research question is its logistics affordability. This study presents existing systems and actual costs of collecting, handling and transporting rice straw to an end-user. Using assumptions considering these documented case studies, the feasibility of collecting and transporting rice straw to a potential power generation plant was explored. Preliminary results assuming: a required volume of around 20,000 tons per year for a 1 MW power plant; collection period window of 5 months from two rice crops; 50-km radius collection area from the power plant site; and use of 12-kg baler for field baling and baling of loose straw in storage area resulted to an estimated logistics cost of Php 1.30 per kg or around Php 15 per 12-kg bale. This rice straw cost estimate does not include potential profit for individual supplier and cost of rice straw that may be demanded by farmers when the straw market is developed. Results of the study can be used as assumption in power plant or bioethanol generation plant feasibility studies.
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