Assaí – An energy view on an Amazon residue

This paper analyzed the technical and economic feasibility of electricity generation using the residues from the exploitation of Assaí, an Amazonian agrosilvicultural product (Euterpe oleracea, Mart). Assaí biomass characteristics as fuel were reviewed based on available literature and its availability assessed. The profile of a typical industrial processing unit was described. The electricity generation cost for a 1 MW conversion systems, considering 5.5 US$ t−1 biomass price, were evaluated: conventional steam cycle with backpressure turbine (66.97 US$ MWh−1), steam cycle with extraction condensation turbine (92.11 US$ MWh−1), organic Rankine cycle (ORC – 122 US$ MWh−1) and a gasifier/internal combustion engine set (102 US$ MWh−1). Based on financial performance, back-pressure steam turbine was the best option, and gasifier/internal combustion should be further considered due its operation flexibility. For any system, minimal electricity commercialization price for economical feasibility found was 150 US$ MWh−1.