CANE POWER-HOW TO MAXIMISE THE POWER EXPORT FROM CANE SUGAR FACTORIES

摘要

The profitability of the sugar industry in India is under enormous pressure because the closing gap between cane and sugar price leaves hardly any revenue and creates losses for many sugar producers. Power export by sugar factories has proven to be an excellent source of additional revenue escaping the low margins in the sugar sector. India has a shortage of available power. The cane sugar industry offers great potential to help closing this gap. Employing modern technologies and process designs up to 140 kWh/t cane "cane power" can be exported to the grid. Power prices ranging between 3-12 Rupees/kWh are attractive for investing in cogeneration. Modern sugar factories can be operated with a steam demand of 26-34% on cane allowing maximum cogeneration. Energy benchmarks for different factory concepts are described and the required technologies for achieving these results are highlighted. Many new technologies have been introduced to the Indian sugar industry especially in the last decade but not all of them have been proven suitable. New technologies also bear risks and good knowledge as well as engineering expertise have become very important in order to achieve targeted results.