A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Energy

Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2012

Rice residues will be one of the favorable biomass energy sources since rice production in Myanmar is quite high and will be higher in the future. Generating electricity with rice husk gasifier will be also one of the favorable options for solving lack of electricity in rural areas of Myanmar. In this study, biomass energy potential and energy usage in rural area of Hinthada district in Ayeyarwady region of Myanmar has been studied. Furthermore, the study also assesses the gasifier technologies that are currently used in the district and carry outa techno economic assessment on generating electricity with gasifier. Rice husk has highest energy potential of around 80,000 TOE annually. Furthermore, there are mainly three type of energy usage in the rural area of district such as energy use for cooking, lighting and mechanical shaft power. Per capita energy consumption for cooking in rural area is 265.2 kgoe per person per year and for electrical applications are 44 kWh per person per year. In addition, it is also found that further technical and environmental related standards are needed in manufacturing and operation of gasifier electricity plants in Myanmar although electricity generating with gasifier is economically viable option. Rice husk gasifier electricity plants will be one of the reliable options for solving lack of electricity in rural areas of Myanmar if there is a standard for manufacturing and operation of gasifier electricity plants in Myanmar.