Realising Africa’s natural potential through renewable resource management

Amandla Resource Development Associates:

Zululand Centre for Sustainable Development [ZCSD] & “Ecosystems”.

Biomass Potential & Feedstock Availability for: A. “Renewables” Power-plant B. Torrefied Wood-pellets for Export C. Combination Export Pellets + Co-Generation

Structure of this Presentation:

Who are Amandla Resources, Ecosystems and ZCSD & Associates Biomass Types and Sources Calorific values of biomass Biomass costs to harvest Power demand in Richards Bay (for example) Biomass harvesting- Timber stumps into chips Biomass harvesting- Timber Brush into bundles Biomass harvesting- Timber Brush into chips Biomass harvesting- Sugar cane into bales Biomass logistics systems and costs Conclusions The way forward

Amandla Resource & Associates’ Primary Objectives (1):

To source sufficient biomass tonnage to fuel green power generation plants and for wood-pellet green-fuel production

To identify the best and most cost effective harvesting and loading/ bundling or in-site chipping system

To identify a cost effective transport system

To secure long-term biomass supply commitments

To identify possible sites for power plants

Identify power take-off customers:(Eskom/ private?).

Amandla Resource & Associates’ Primary Objectives (2):

To assemble coherent feasibility reports and business plans for committed investors and clients, BioMass growers & Suppliers.

To provide project preparation and implementation capacity.

To Manage and Implement approved BioMass –related projects.

To provide for operational staffing up-skilling and mentoring capacity.

In Addition:

Project Finance. R & D support. Skills Development. Community

Development support programs.

Best –practice technical selection.

Who are: “Ecosystems”?

An AMANDLA RESOURCES consulting affiliate focussed on Community development, based in Richards Bay, KZN Province:- Community sustainable development projects Training and skills transfer Integrated waste management Effective Resource utilisation Organic agriculture promotion Eco-village development Business plan development SMME development / mentoring.

A not for profit Section 21 company

Specialising in sustainable community development

Identifying job creation initiatives leading to SMME

Encouraging support for community-based initiatives

Integrating BEE and community job creation opportunities (longer-term), into larger commercial projects

Zululand Center for Sustainable Development [ZCSD]:

Who are “Amandla Resources”?Website: Click here

ARD has been operating in SA since1999 (O’Kelly Consulting cc)

Specialising in physical and human resource development.

Developing sustainable New Business & job creation initiatives.

Creating profitable partnerships between business and Rural communities / community-owned resources in association with ZCSD (implementing agency) and its development associates.

Align investors and appropriate project financing options to ensure project viability towards implementation

TIMBER BIOMASS: (eucalyptus, wattle, pine, Casuarina) Tons per hectare – (140 to 220t/ha over 7 to 25 years)

Root-wood (6%) Stump-wood (5%) Foliage (5.2%) Bark (13.5%) Branch-wood (5%) Stem-wood (burnt timber, coppice) (67.1%).

Sugar Cane Trash (leaves, tops): about 20% of whole-stick harvest. Whole stick green: 60 to 140 tonne/ harvest. Bagasse: Fibrous waste after juice extraction (30%)

BIOMASS TYPES /SOURCES:

Timber Yields and Growth Period

Timber – Eucalyptus Yield - 140 to 280 tons per hectare (MAI 13 to 28) Growth period - 7 to 10 years

Timber- Wattle & Casuarina Yield - 100 to 140 tons per hectare (MAI 8 to 13) Growth period - 7 to 10 years

Timber –Pine Yield - 140 to 220 tons per hectare (MAI 13 to 16) Growth period – 20 to 22 years

Cane Yields and Growth Period

Cane yields: Yield - 60 to 140 tons per Ha ( green stick only) Yield - 14 to 20 tons per Ha (17% Trash and tops) Yield - 18 to 42 tons per hectare (30% bagasse).

Growth period: 12 to 24 months

Depending on soil and climateDepending on irrigation waterDepending on Variety(High Fibre ..or High Sucrose)?

Calorific values of biomass

Cane Tops 16.4

Cane Trash 17.4

Bagasse 18.1

Coal 15 - 27.5

Wood Brush 14.4 - 17.4

Wood Chips 16.5 - 18.5

Charcoal 29.6

Pyrolysis Gas 20 - 22

Biomass costs to harvest

Description of biomass

Estimated R/ton cost to Harvest

Estimated payment to supplier

Sub Total Transport

Sub Total 0-50 km

Profit @ 15% or handling

fee

Estimated Landed

price /Ton Margin

Timber stumps (chips) 225.0 0.0 225.0 48.0 273.0 41.0 R 314 15%

Timber brush (bundles) 217.0 25.0 242.0 38.0 280.0 42.0 R 322 15%

Timber brush (chips) 144.0 25.0 169.0 48.0 217.0 32.6 R 250 15%

RBM (Indigenous bush clear) 183.0 60.0 243.0 38.0 281.0 42.2 R 323 15%

Other( pallets, sawdust, wood off-cuts for sawmills) 100.0 25.0 125.0 38.0 163.0 24.5 R 187 15%

Sugar cane trash (bales) 161.0 75.0 236.0 38.0 274.0 41.1 R 315 15%

Garden waste (chips) 120.0 0.0 120.0 18.0 138.0 20.7 R 159 15%

Timber brush from Mbazwane Forests (chips) 119.0 25.0 144.0 175.0 319.0 47.9 R 367 15%

Total Biomass          Average

price R 280  

                 

GE at ZCSD: April 2009

Power demand: in Richards Bay, KZN.

Company MW

BHP Billiton 200

BHP Billiton Expansion projects 250

Tata Steel 150

Pulp United 55

Foskor 32

Archean India 80

Mauri British Foods 10

Total Power Required 777   

   

Eskom direct into grid and power wheeled.

Umhlatuze Municipality direct (1.5% wheeling fee).

Richards Bay Minerals & BHP direct.

Direct to large commercial projects in the IDZ and

Other Adjacent locations R’Bay.

Our Customers (R’Bay Area)

Biomass harvesting- Timber stumps into chips

Tonnage availableR’Bay Area

177,000

Source Mondi, Sappi, DAFF. Amalala Group.

Form of biomass Chips(Chipped on-site)

Distance from site 0-50km

Biomass harvesting- Timber Brush into bundles

Tonnage availableR’Bay Area

81,000

Source Sappi and MondiAmalala GroupDAFF + Others

Form of biomass Bundles

Distance from site 0-50km

Biomass harvesting- Timber Brush into chips

Tonnage availableR’Bay area

180,000

Source Sappi, RBM

Form of biomass Chips

Distance from site 0-50km

Biomass harvesting – Other” (pallets, garden waste, sawmill waste into chips):

Tonnage available

R’Bay Area

20,000

Source Local Sawmills, factories, municipality

Form of biomass Chips/ shredded

Distance from site 0-50km

Biomass harvesting- Sugar cane into bales

Tonnage availableR’Bay Area

586,000 to 1m tonne or more

Source Felixton and Umfolozi cane growers, Mtunzini, Noodsberg areas

Form of biomass Bales of sun-dried cane tops and post-harvest trash

Distance from site 0-80km but less than 30km is optimum

Biomass logistics systems and related costs:

Cost per ton (0- 50km) R38.00/ton

Cost per ton ( 150-200km) R170.00/ton

Form of biomass Chips & Logs

Distance from site 0 - 200km

Explanation of the terms used

Gum plantations Pine plantations Wattle & some coastal Casuarina Plantations

Casuarina / Acacia-Wattle/ Pine/ Eucalyptus

Explanation of the terms used (contd):

BrushwoodCoppice Cane Trash Burnt Cane

Equipment Used:Brush Bundler

Equipment Used: Loaders & Forwarders

Bell Timber Loader

Bell Forwarder

JD Forwarder

Equipment Used:CBI Chipper

Equipment Used:Cane /Maize stalk Baler

Conclusions

Biomass and whole round-log timber is available locally.

Smaller plants of 20 to 50 MWe are more viable.

Electricity purchase agreements can now be concluded in all of SA (from National Grid/ Eskom and private enterprise).

Other opportunities in Piet Retief area (Mondi, Sappi 200 000 Ha timber biomass to 1 Million tons available).

Western , Eastern Cape & Mpumalanga Province also have under-utilised potential

The Way Forward:Pre-feasibility funding required for:

Require a time and motion study on the harvesting system needed for each type BioMass.

Specialised Equipment available from Bell, CBI and John Deere also other suppliers Volvo etc

Sign up biomass suppliers (contract) Conclude price of biomass supplied to site Conclude price paid to farmers/ plantation owners Select appropriate factory site to suit logistics / efficiency Conduct Scoping for Environmental Impact Assessment

(EIA). Complete feasibility reports and Business plans. Secure adequate funding for initial assessment studies and

plans for development clients

The End

Original presentation by Gavin Eichler : General Manager ZCSD 2009

www.amandlaresources.com