Investigating the feasibility of biomass integrated gasification combined cycle (BIGCC) as a power alternative in Gaza Strip

Gaza strip suffers from severe electricity deficit of 62%, due to the lack of fuel needed to operate the local power plant. As a result, local authorities adopted a rationing plan, through which the power is often cutoff during half of the day. Meanwhile, more than 2,000 tonnes of wastes are generated every day in Gaza, while its municipal capabilities to recycle wastes are limited, leading to the landfilling of most of the generated wastes in a highly populated region. Therefore, this study explores the feasibility of the biomass integrated gasification combined cycle (BIGCC) in Gaza scenario in utilising local wastes and independently generating power at reasonable costs. The BIGCC plant is simulated using the advanced system for process engineering software (Aspen Plus®). Furthermore, an economic feasibility analysis is conducted considering the actual costs of similar existing units, as well as local operating costs. The obtained results are encouraging, where the designed BIGCC plant was able to generate ~207 MW, which can fulfill 46% of Gaza's electricity demand, and 86.25% of its current power deficit. The levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) is estimated at 0.045 $/kWh, which represents 26% only of the current market price. The proposed scenario may contribute to diversifying the power supplies in Gaza and compensate for the power deficit. In addition, a diversion from landfilling can be achieved through wastes valorisation, which reduces the associated land and carbon footprints.