DP CleanTech Thailand revolutionises the use of coconut waste biomass for renewable energy
Mahachai Green Power Co. Ltd, and DPCleanTech Group Ltdare proud to announce the completion of the first High Temperature High Pressure Biomass power plant which is specifically designed for thesimultaneous combustion of all forms of coconut waste (husk, shell, bunch, fronds, leaves, trunk) as well as “conventional”biomass as wood residues, rice husk etc. to produce electrical renewable energy. On Saturday, 2nd April 2016, the Mahachaiplant in SamutSakhorn Province, Thailand passed the 24 hours full-load test, thereby obtaining the necessary permit for entering into commercial operation by feeding 8MWe into the national PEA grid.
The unique 9.5MWe HPHT project represents a significant technological milestone in thecombustion of complex, tropical biomass fuels, which are seen by many operators as too difficult to exploit for renewable energy. Using longstanding experience in corrosive fuel combustion and specifically designed technical solutions, including the modification of the Water Cooled Vibrating Grate, DPCleanTech has successfully achieved the efficient, simultaneous combustion of all coconut waste residues, thereby introducing a new realm of opportunity for coconut producers around the world to generate renewable energy and to create an additional source of income. Power generated by the plant will be fed into the public PEA grid, and any remaining ashes will be used as fertilizer for farming or filler material for construction. The project will create a substantial amount of local employment.
The Mahachai plant is optimised to handle different types and forms of coconut biomass waste as well as other types of biomass such as wood residues. It is designed to consume up to 323 tonnes/day of moist fuel and to operate with an availability of more than 7,900 hours per year. The plant was delivered to the owners on an EPC basis, which allowed DPCleanTech to ensure that the innovative design was optimised and integrated into the whole solution.
Simon Parker, CEO of DPCleanTech observed that “This is the world’s first power plant designed for the simultaneous combustion of all coconut waste types. It was a highly challenging project requiring innovative thinking and enhanced technical capability; and the project was completed through the extraordinary cooperative effortsof the client and the DP team. We have learnt a lot during the process and we will use this knowledge to further refine our HPHT technology for application in other projects, and with other complex fuel types”.
Roland Vogel(Managing Director of CarbonBWThailandCo., Ltd.) and commented that “Being a pioneer is never an easy road, and we are very proud of the way in which the teamshave worked together to address and resolve the inevitable issues. Today, the Mahachai project is a fine example of how progressive thinking and cross cultural collaboration can overcome the challenges inherent in developing new solutions and ideas”.
Khun Cherdsak Wattanavijitkul (President / Executive Committee of TPC Power Holding PCL) acknowledged that “There were many preconceived ideas about what was and wasn’t possible with coconut waste residue as a feedstock, but our vision to use not just a part, but all the waste residue of this most abundant natural resource has now been realised. We hope that we have shown the way towards creating a sustainable economic cycle for the coconut producing industry and that this is only the first of many similar plants in the region”.
