Techno-Economic Analysis of a Biomass Grid-Connected Power Plant for Consistent Rural Electrification in New Noubarya in Egypt

Burning crop residue increases pollution from coal-based thermal power plants, which is already a problem in the majority of developing countries. The organic molecules that make up the majority of crop residue can be efficiently utilized in anaerobic digestion to produce biogas sustainably. Renewable energy sources are crucial in remote areas without access to the electrical grid. Among the most popular renewable energy sources are wind, biomass, and photovoltaic (PV). This study recommends a micro-grid (MG) system for reliable rural electrification and effective utilization of the currently available renewable resources. A detailed technical and financial analysis was conducted on the design of a biomass-based grid-connected system comprising two enterprises in New Noubarya, Egypt. The location of several collecting stations and the building of a direct combustion biomass power plant are then evaluated from a techno-economic perspective. System Advisor Model (SAM) modeling software is used for technical and economic assessments, and starting plant capacities are computed. During the investigation, various performance assessment characteristics were considered, including fuel prices, inflation rate, emissions, component costs, project feasibility, and generation responses. According to the study’s findings, a grid-connected system can deliver dependable electricity at lower energy prices. The results indicate that the total annual AC energy produced is 175,200,000 kWh, while annual biomass energy usage is 320,113 dry tons/year. The levelized cost of energy is 0.166 $/kWh and the capacity factor is 78%. The boiler efficiency, higher heating value, is 77%. Additionally, by using biomass sustainably through anaerobic digestion, the micro-grid system contributes to a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions of over 30%. This strategy is believed to be especially appropriate for other emerging nations whose energy needs rely on fossil fuels, which place a significant financial strain on them and whose residues are enormous, wasteful, and unindustrialized. Future comparative studies that examine the effects and viability of installing agro-residue-based biomass electric energy generation may benefit from the acquired data as well.