Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Part - 6
Casuarina junghuhniana for sustainable energy development:
A detailed report on 'Casuarina junghuhniana for sustainable energy development' is the joint work of Mr.S.K.Shanmuga sundaram,
IFS,Present Chief Conservator of Forests, Tirunelveli (Former Head of the Department of Biodiversity, IFGTB) and Dr.R.Gopalan and presented as
Power point by the former professionally to the audience, who are mostly farmers, on the concluding day of the Tree growers Mela - 2012.
This report analyzes in detail the issues involved in "Energy management, Growth Vs Energy, Types of energy, Energy Resources, Energy
efficiency, Current Energy Demand, Energy consumption, Energy scenario in India and Biomass power".
From the above presentation, I would like to bring to our readers the main subject of 'Utilizing Casuarina for Biomass power
production' only.
This report is generated from the PowerPoint presentation of Mr.S.K.Shanmuga Sundaram,IFS and the contents in its
entirety and the projections / assessment made here are his personal views only.
Those readers who may differ on the issues of yield, profit from Casuarina junghuhniana, matters relating to energy
conversion and the quantum of power production are requested to express their views here to upgrade this article for
the benefit of the fellow readers.
CASUARINA A BIO RESOURCE :
A tree species belonging to Casuarinacea.
Fast growing species, having multi utility value.
Calorific value = 5000 k.cal. (Approx.)
Wood density is 698 kg/m (irrigated), 703 kg/m (rainfed).
Preferred by farmers for Agro forestry and Farm landafforestation.
CURRENT UTILITY OF CASUARINA :
HOUSEHOLD FUEL, PULP WOOD,
SCAFFOLDING, CHARCOAL MAKING,
BIO SHIELD (SHELTER BELT, WIND BREAK)
PRODUCTION OF POWER
EXTENT OF CULTIVATION :
Casuarina is cultivated through out South India.
80% of plantations are in the coastal areas in AP, Orissa, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry.
Area planted 5 lac ha. Inland cultivation data deficient.
Rotation 4 years.
Inter cropping practiced in Ist year of planting.
Preferable species Casuarina junghuhniana, a drought tolerant and high yielding variety.
Espacement 1x1m (4000 trees per acre).
YIELDING PATTERN :
Yield varies by
1. Locations
2. cultivation techniques adopted
3. Period of rotation
4. Irrigation facilities
5. Fertilizer application
6. Soil fertility
7. Rainfall pattern
8. 40 to 80 tonnes per acre in 4 years and 30 to 40 tonnes per acre under rainfed conditions is reported.
ECONOMICS OF CASUARINA CULTIVATION :
Usage of high yield clones, 4 year rotation, 1x1m espacement, Coastal
belt, Irrigated land, yearly farm yard manure application, yearly twice
weeding and manual pruning of branches gives the following revenue:
Total income (sale of pruned materials & poles) = 2,50,000 /-* (Average yield 80 Tons x Rs.3000 + 10000)
Total expenditure (including watch and ward) = 75,000 /-
Net Income = 1,75,000 /-
* Data for high yielding variety with the specified field conditions.
CASUARINA vs ELECTRICITY:
CALORIFIC VALUE = 5000 Kcalories
One kilowatt per hour = 859.845kilo calories.
Energy conversion efficiency of casuarina = o.25.
The power production by using One ton of casuarina =
5000x1000x1/4x/859.845 = 1453.75 kwh
5MW Power Mill (Plant Load Factor=0.9)
Per day production =1000X5X24X0.9 =108000kwh
Per year production =108000x365 =39420000kwh
Casuarina wood required per year
=39420000/1453.75=27116.07911m.ton.
Per day requirement =74.29 rounded to75m.tons.
Area required@productivity of 60m.tons per acre
with 4 year rotation period =452acres
For continuous operation =452x4=1808acres
Per day area required =1.23acres(0.5ha)