GIS-Based Mapping and Development of Biomass-Fueled Integrated Combined Heat and Power Generation in Nigeria

This research presents Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping and development of biomass for combined heat and power (CHP) generation in Nigeria. It includes crop and forest classification, thermodynamic, and exergo-economic analyses using ArcGIS, Engineering Equation Solver, and Microsoft Excel. Syngas generated from biomass residues powered an integrated CHP system combining a gas turbine (GT), dual steam turbine (DST), and a cascade organic Rankine cycle (CORC) plant. The net power output of the integrated system stood at 2911 MW, with a major contribution from the gas turbine cycle (GTC) unit. The system had a total exergy destruction of 6480 MW, mainly in the combustion chamber (2143 MW) and HP-HRSG (1660 MW), and produced 3370.41 MW of heat, with a flue gas exit temperature of 74 °C. The plant’s energy and exergy efficiencies were 87.16% and 50.30%, respectively. The BCHP system showed good economic and environmental performance, with an annualized life cycle cost of USD 93.4 million, unit cost of energy of 0.0076 USD/kWh, and a 7.5-year break-even. The emissions and impact factors align with those of similar existing plants. It demonstrates that biomass residue can significantly support Nigeria’s energy needs and contribute to clean energy goals under the Paris Agreement and UN-SDGs. This work suggests a pathway to tackle energy insecurity, inform policymakers on biomass-to-energy, and serve as a foundation for future techno-economic–environmental assessment of biomass residues across suitable locations in Nigeria.