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Using this biomass resource, a power plant supplies 3,000 inhabitants with clean energy and resolves a long-standing environmental and social problem

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The use of agricultural waste products like peanut shells as biomass for energy generation can be an effective way to produce clean energy while also helping to reduce waste and pollution. It’s a great example of how communities can find sustainable and locally sourced solutions to their energy needs, even in the face of broader infrastructure challenges.

Argentina’s status as the third-largest peanut producer in the world, coupled with the high demand for its peanut products in international markets, led to the accumulation of peanut shells. This agricultural waste posed environmental challenges, including waste disposal and fire hazards due to the humid conditions.

The solution of using peanut shells for clean energy generation not only addresses the issue of waste management but also provides a sustainable source of electricity for local communities. It’s a win-win situation, as it not only reduces environmental problems but also contributes to the reliable energy supply for towns like Ticino.

This story highlights the importance of finding innovative and sustainable solutions to address both environmental and energy-related challenges, especially in regions with abundant agricultural resources like peanut shells. It also demonstrates the potential for turning waste products into valuable resources in the pursuit of cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions.

The development of the Ticino Biomass Power Company and the power plant in Ticino, Argentina, is a remarkable example of public-private collaboration to address energy and environmental challenges. The initiative began as a private project by the Lorenzatti Ruech peanut company but gained momentum with an initial investment of $8 million. This investment was used to create the infrastructure necessary for generating electricity from peanut shells.

In 2018, the project received additional support from the government through the “RenovAR” program. This program, which aims to promote renewable energy generation across the country, provided assistance to industries involved in renewable energy projects. Under this program, the government committed to purchasing the energy generated by the power plant at a stable price. This guaranteed income helps make renewable energy projects economically viable and encourages private investment in clean energy infrastructure.

By integrating the energy generated from peanut shells into the general power grid, it becomes available to supply electricity to people, ensuring a reliable and sustainable source of power. This partnership between the private sector and the government demonstrates how collaborative efforts can lead to innovative solutions that benefit both the environment and local communities.

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Two problems, one solution

The challenges faced by Ticino, Argentina, went beyond just the environmental problem of burning peanut shells. The town also had a longstanding issue with its electric power network. The existing network was in poor condition and suffered from frequent power outages, including micro-outages that lasted only seconds or minutes. These disruptions were sufficient to disrupt industrial production and other activities, causing inconvenience and economic losses for the community.

The introduction of the power plant utilizing peanut shells as a biomass resource not only addressed the environmental problem but also significantly improved the town’s power supply reliability. The clean energy generated by the plant likely offers a more stable and consistent power source compared to the previous network, reducing the frequency of outages and their associated negative impacts on the community.

This development demonstrates how investing in renewable energy projects can have a broader positive impact on local infrastructure and quality of life, beyond just environmental benefits. It showcases the potential for renewable energy to solve multiple issues and improve the overall well-being of a community.

The context of increased production, industry expansion, and the arrival of new players in the peanut industry in the “peanut belt” region of Argentina made it imperative to address the energy problem effectively. The fact that approximately 80% of Argentine peanuts are produced in this region highlights the significance of finding a sustainable solution.

The disposal of an estimated 45,000 tons of peanut shells annually is a significant waste issue. However, by repurposing these peanut shells to generate electricity, the region not only manages its waste more efficiently but also harnesses a valuable energy resource. This approach not only contributes to cleaner energy production but also aligns with the principles of circular economy and sustainability.

The utilization of agricultural waste like peanut shells for energy generation is a practical and eco-friendly way to address the energy needs of both the peanut industry and the local community. It serves as a remarkable example of resource optimization and environmental responsibility in the context of agricultural production and energy generation.

How energy is made from peanut shells

Diego Menta’s involvement in the Ticino Biomass Power Plant project highlights the importance of securing a consistent and sufficient supply of peanut shells, a key raw material for generating renewable energy. Given his extensive experience in the peanut industry spanning 23 years, Menta understood the potential of this project and was eager to be a part of it.

Menta’s role as the director of the power plant is crucial in ensuring the smooth operation of the facility, as well as managing the logistics of acquiring the necessary peanut shells. He mentions that the plant is closely connected to the peanut processing company, which supplies approximately 80% to 85% of the peanut shells required for energy generation. However, to meet the remaining demand, the plant needs to purchase additional peanut shells.

This partnership between the power plant and the peanut processing company illustrates the synergy between agricultural and renewable energy sectors. It also emphasizes the importance of securing a reliable source of biomass to sustain clean energy production while simultaneously managing waste from peanut processing, contributing to environmental sustainability.

The process of converting peanut shells into clean energy at the Ticino Biomass Power Plant involves several stages, as outlined by Diego Menta:

1. Shell Arrival: Peanut shells are transported to the power plant using two methods: trucks and pneumatic transport. The latter involves blowing the shells from one building to another, likely a more efficient and automated approach.
2. Storage: Upon arrival at the power plant, the peanut shells are unloaded into cells and storage sheds. Maintaining proper storage conditions is essential to preserve the quality of the shells and control their moisture content. Proper storage ensures a consistent and efficient combustion process.
3. Boiler: The next step involves transferring the stored peanut shells to the boiler. Inside the boiler, they are burned in stages. This staged combustion process is likely designed for optimal energy extraction from the shells while minimizing emissions.
4. Ash Residue: As the peanut shells burn, they release energy in the form of heat, which is used to generate electricity. The combustion process continues until only ashes remain. These ashes can often be used as a byproduct, possibly as a source of nutrient-rich material for agriculture or in other applications.

This complex process showcases the technology and infrastructure required to efficiently convert agricultural waste, like peanut shells, into a valuable and sustainable energy source. It also highlights the importance of quality control and proper handling of the raw material to ensure smooth and reliable energy production.

The description provided by Diego Menta outlines the energy generation process at the Ticino Biomass Power Plant in more detail:

1. Heat Generation: The peanut shells are burned in the boiler, generating intense heat. This heat is used to heat water, creating saturated steam.
2. Steam Transformation: The saturated steam produced is then further heated to very high temperatures, resembling compressed air in its properties. This highly pressurized and high-temperature steam is a valuable energy carrier.
3. Turbine Operation: The high-temperature, high-pressure steam is transported to a turbine. The turbine is a mechanical device designed to harness the energy contained in the steam. In this case, the turbine spins at a rapid rate of 6,500 revolutions per minute.
4. Mechanical Energy Conversion: As the steam flows through the turbine, it imparts mechanical energy to the turbine blades, causing them to rotate. This mechanical energy is a result of the high-speed spinning of the turbine.
5. Electricity Generation: The spinning turbine is connected to a generator. The mechanical energy from the turbine is converted into electrical energy in the generator. This is achieved through the principles of electromagnetic induction.
6. Steam Recycling: After delivering its energy to the turbine and generator, the steam loses its energy, cools down, and condenses back into water. This condensed water is then returned to the boiler to start the cycle again.

This process illustrates how thermal energy from the combustion of peanut shells is efficiently converted into mechanical energy, and ultimately into electricity. It’s a closed-loop system where the water-steam cycle is used repeatedly to generate power, making it a sustainable and environmentally friendly source of energy.

The continuous operation of the power plant, generating clean energy from peanut shells, is a testament to its reliability and sustainability. The cycle runs non-stop, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, ensuring a consistent supply of electricity to the community and the grid.

Diego Menta’s team of 32 people, including boiler operators and biomass movement operators, plays a crucial role in maintaining the plant’s smooth and uninterrupted operation. Their expertise and diligence are essential to ensure the efficiency of the entire energy generation process.

The electricity generated by the plant is incorporated into the national energy grid through the Compañía Administradora del Mercado Mayorista Eléctrico Sociedad Anónima (Cammesa), which is responsible for managing the wholesale electricity market. Selling the energy at a stable price to Cammesa provides economic sustainability for the plant and ensures a reliable source of income, which is essential for the long-term success of renewable energy projects.

This project serves as a model for how renewable energy can be integrated into the grid, contributing to a more diverse and sustainable energy mix while also supporting local communities and economies.

The town where the power never goes out

The unique resilience of Ticino’s energy supply, powered by the biomass plant, is indeed remarkable. Despite being part of the National Interconnected Energy System, the town has established protocols that allow it to connect to the biomass power plant through a closed circuit during power failures or cuts affecting the area’s energy suppliers. This system ensures that Ticino maintains its power supply even when other parts of the country experience blackouts.

The significance of this setup was most evident during the nationwide blackout on June 16, 2019, and another power outage on March 1, which affected approximately 20 million users in Argentina. In both instances, Ticino remained unaffected, demonstrating its ability to provide a reliable and continuous power source to its residents.

Diego Menta’s description of the frequent power outages during the day in the area, which go unnoticed by the town’s residents due to the plant’s resilience, highlights the plant’s vital role in stabilizing the local power supply. While the 2019 blackout was historic for the rest of the country, it was business as usual for Ticino thanks to its biomass power plant. The plant’s impact extends beyond providing clean energy; it has a profound social and economic significance for the town and its residents, offering stability and continuity in an essential service.

The successful implementation of the biomass power plant in Ticino, Argentina, has not only addressed the town’s energy challenges but has also resolved the environmental issues associated with peanut shell disposal. This dual benefit has significantly improved the quality of life in the community while putting Ticino on the map as an example of sustainable and innovative energy generation.

As Pablo Margiaria points out, the plant’s success has attracted industrial tourism, highlighting its significance as a model for other regions facing similar challenges. While implementing such renewable energy systems can involve substantial costs, Diego Menta expresses hope that governments will support similar projects. He rightly emphasizes that what may seem like a relatively small-scale energy solution today can have a much broader impact in the future as renewable energy becomes increasingly important for sustainability and environmental preservation.

Ticino’s experience serves as an inspiring example of how communities and governments can work together to solve energy and environmental challenges, while also positioning themselves as pioneers in renewable energy adoption. It underscores the potential for sustainable and clean energy solutions to transform not only local communities but also global energy landscapes in the years to come.

Source:

Agustín Gulman at El País

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