An Economic Analysis on the Potential of Water Hyacinth Biomass as an Alternative Energy Source in Residential Households
Author : Limocon, Allan Gabriel
Major Adviser : Gatdula, Kristel M.
Committee Members : Arocena, Rhebner E.; Guerrero, Gino Apollo M.
Year : 2021
Month : August
Type : Thesis
Degree: BS
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Abstract
Water hyacinth, an invasive plant found in major bodies of water in the country, has been studied to be a potential source for biomass fuel production. Since the residential sector has had the highest share of biomass consumption among other sectors over the past years, the economic feasibility of using water hyacinth biomass briquettes in residential households was analyzed in this study. This was done through employing Cost- Effectiveness Analysis (CEA) and comparing its cost-effectiveness (CE) and estimated annual cost to that of other popular household energy sources, namely, LPG, kerosene, and electricity. The CE of water hyacinth biomass briquettes was calculated as a ratio of its price to its calorific value, obtained from various studies. At the minimum market price of PHP 35, the average CE ratio obtained was 1 997 PHP/GJ. On the average, it was found that the utilization of water hyacinth biomass briquettes was more cost-effective than LPG, kerosene, and electricity by 20.37%, 27,75%, and 45.73%, respectively. However, its estimated annual cost, with an averaged value of PHP 21 984, was found to be higher than the annual cost of LPG, kerosene, and electricity by 234.7%, 203.77%, and 9.07%, respectively. The inflated annual cost was associated with the high demand for biomass fuel in the residential sector.
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