Economic Analysis Model for Biopower Plants Based on Biomass Logistics Networks and Its Application in Heilongjiang Province, China

摘要

A mathematical model was developed to assess the economic feasibility of a biomass-based power plant in the Northeast of China. The objective of this model is to maximizes the net present value (NPV) of a biopower plant over its economic life, which subjects to the constraints of biomass availability, plant investment and operation & maintenance costs, plant capacity, transportation logistics, raw material and product pricing, financing, and business taxes. The model was applied in a biopower plant located in Wangkui County, China, which belongs to the National Bio-Energy Group Company Limited. Results showed that the maximum NPV of the Wangkui Biopower plant in the base case was approximately 117 million Yuan given the electricity sale price of 0.64 Yuan kWh~(-1) (or 0.75 Yuan kWh~(-1) with tax). This study provides a reference for evaluating the economic feasibility of biopower plants based on biomass logistics networks in China.