Besides processing into biodiesel, Jatropha oil also has proven itself to be a viable source of fuel for power generation and heating applications.
In fact, many of the delegates we met at JatrophaWorld Jakarta and Miami had many examples to share about small scale Jatropha power generation plants for rural electrification projects in India & Africa.
Jatropha Oil for Small Scale Power Generation Projects
Many NGOs have Jatropha projects involving some of the poorest villages in Asia and Africa, and getting these poor farmers to plant Jatropha. With this, the village can become entirely energy self sufficient due to the multiple applications of Jatropha oil and by products.
One small scale Jatropha based power project we’ve heard of is the one being run by Winrock International in the Kabir Dham district in Chattisgarh, INDIA, which is already providing 24-hour power supply at the very affordable price of 50 cents per light bulb to poor villagers.
The 17.5 KW capacity power plant, which runs on raw oil produced from jatropha seeds, has been supplying electricity to the villagers since it became operational in April last year. Over 106 households in the area, which previously had no access to electricity, have already been ‘illuminated’ by this innovative power generation project.
The project in Chattisgarh represents Jatropha’s very critical role in rural development, and there other such projects scattered all over Asia & Africa in the Jatropha growing regions. Due to these initiatives, many of the worlds’ poorest will have the chance to get access to electricity for the first time in their life!
Is it Feasible to Use Crude Jatropha Oil for Large-Scale Power Generation?
Belgiuan sustainable energy developer Thenergo seems to think so. Thenergo have commissioned Wartsila to build the world’s first combined heat and power (CHP) plant that will run on jatropha oil.
The project, named Greenpower, is situated in the agricultural area Merksplas (Belgium) and is expected to become operational in February 2009. The plant will generate 6MWth of heat for two industrial partners, and 9MWe of electricity for the equivalent of 20,000 households.
The use of Jatropha oil in power generation and as heating fuel brings the industry a step towards the widespread commercialization of Jatropha, one of the very few ‘Biofuels’ that does not compete with food crops.
According to Wartsila spokesperson Ronald Westerdijk, “Jatropha oil is a liquid biofuel that has great potential since jatropha can also be harvested outside the world’s rainforest areas, even near deserts.”
Using Pure Jatropha Oil in Diesel Engines
Pure Jatropha Oil can be successfully used as a diesel replacement in stationary engines such as water pumps, as well as modified diesel engines for transportation including tractors and vehicles.
There are certain types of diesel engines that require only the addition of a fuel filter to run on pure Jatropha oil, thus eliminating the need of the more expensive blended biodiesel option.
In addition to this, Pure Jatropha Oil also performs better as a fuel due to its higher oxygen content, and has lubricating qualities.
The use of pure Jatropha oil as a transportation fuel makes it more affordable and viable, not to mention environmentally friendly than blended biodiesel.
Other Uses for Jatropha Oil
As a tool for rural development, Jatropha oil does play an important role in generating income and increasing the overall quality of life for communities involved in Jatropha cultivation.
In fact, one of the most critical uses for Jatropha oil is in cooking!
To people grappling with poverty, the price of kerosene or cooking fuel might be prohibitive. The availability of Jatropha Oil in this respect becomes a viable alternative to kerosene
Bosch & Siemens Home Appliances Group (BSH) has recently developed a stove “Protos”, which can successfully burn Kerosene and Jatropha Oil as fuel. In fact, BSH is pushing for the use of Jatropha oil, which is significantly cheaper and environmentally friendly.
More critically, a stove operated on Jatropha oil offers a much safer cooking environment because Jatropha oil is not very flammable and it cannot explode, two of the major concerns regarding kerosene. In rural communities where building materials are often plant based and highly flammable, a safe cooking environment is critical.
Additionally, the more efficient burning of Jatropha oil means that cooking time will be significantly less for the Jatropha stove, thus saving on valuable cooking fuel.
Jatropha’s Capacities in Power Generation, Diesel Engines, Heating and Cooking Covered at JatrophaWorld Hamburg 2008
With Jatropha rising to meet the electricity demands of the developing and the developed world, this application of Jatropha has tremendous potential to become a major revenue generator for Jatropha producers and project developers.
And at JatrophaWorld Hamburg 2008, we’re committed towards informing the community about Jatropha’s tremendous potential as a sustainable and environmentally friendly source of Biofuel.
That’s why we are proud to announce Wartsila as one of the newest additions to our panel of experts. Speaking on their CHP project, Wartsila will be sharing insights on alternative uses for Jatropha oil for heating and power generation.
We are also happy to share that Bosch & Siemens Home Applicances Group (BSH) is on our panel sharing more information on their revolutionary Jatropha oil cooking stove.
You can also hear from Cleanstar Ventures, a Jatropha project developer, on their first hand experience with using Pure Jatropha Oil in diesel engines and micro generators.
So what are you waiting for? Register for JatrophaWorld Hamburg 2008 today at http://futureenergyevents.com/jatropha/attend/register-for-jatrophaworld/
We look forward to meeting you in Hamburg in October.
#1. microchap, August 21st, 2008
Sounds very interesting (product and event). Do you have any information on potential resource availability i.e. how much is realistic fuel value globaly as percentage of current energy demand. Is this a niche fuel for thrid world or a major energy source?
#2. divyasangam, August 24th, 2008
Hi microchap,
Thanks for your comment.
At this current moment, the use of Jatropha in the global energy demand pie is very small, but it isn’t going to remain a small proportion anymore.
Consider this, large parcels of degraded land in Asia, South America & Africa is being cultivated with Jatropha. There is also cultivation in Florida, Hawaii and some tests in California. Close to the US, Mexico is also starting to cultivate Jatropha as an energy crop.
Is it a third world niche fuel?
Considering that the demand for Biodiesel and Heating fuel from Jatropha is very first world centric, (and the third world applications of Jatropha are at a micro-scale), Jatropha isn’t a third world niche energy crop.
However, this isn’t the silver bullet solution! I encourage you to read our white paper on the topic, ‘Best Practices for Long-term Jatropha Development’, which essentially looks at the challenges to the long-term sustainability of Jatropha and its role in the global energy marketplace.
Thanks for your comment, and I look forward to hearing from you on this forum!
Sincerely,
divyasangam
#3. Subbu, August 25th, 2008
As an entrepreneur, if I would like to set-up a Jatropha production unit, where would I have to seek information from regarding the land requirement, government clearances, capital required, break-even period etc.?
I’d appreciate if you could give me some advice or references for the above.
Thanks!
#4. joein, August 30th, 2008
Greetings!
We are currently working on a research about a stove that utilizes jatropha seed as fuel. The result was convincing in terms of cooking time and boiling time, however the significant amount of soot produced caught our attention. Do you have any idea on how to reduce the soot production of jatropha seed as fuel?
Is it really on jatropha seed or on the design of our stove? We hope you can help us on this matter.
Thank you very much and more power!
#5. Alan M. Dejaros, September 6th, 2008
Greetings,
We had just finished consolidating an area of 100,000 hectares more or less for Jatropha plantation. 100k has. are (Vacant and idle) intermidiate upland which is just our initial phase for Jatropha dev’t. and its industries considering our area is the number sugar exporter in our country. This means, the soil and climatic condition is superb for Jatropha compared to all the areas I read and published in the journals since 8 years ago. With a rolling terrain and sloops yet the infrastructures are well developed, the plantation can really arrest soil erosions thus preventing flooding to the areas inhabited and planted with sugarcanes.
Labor force is ever ready and bountiful which this project is of great help in the upliftment of their human conditions.
Now, with the vission cited above, we want to know and seek your advise where we can secure the Planting Techonology (transfer Techology), Machineries and equiptments for biofuel proceesing (Turn Key is highly preferrable), Accreditation and Market of the Carbon Credit by this Project.
Can we enter into a contract with our suppliers (Seeds and Machieneries) and long term buyers (Carbon Credit) to be able to sort out financing/fundings? Are SBLC’s and Bank Guarantees are financiable securities for the noble projects?…It hits so many dimentions namely: Global warming, anti-poverty, human management, greenhouse effect, financial security or as a whole, a humanitarian project- turning liabilities into assts and productivity.
Thank you.
Waiting and longing for your immediate assistance to all of our inquiries stated above.
God Bless!
Sincerely yours,
Alan
#6. William Turley, October 1st, 2008
We have a small, 1-Ha, pilot plantation of Jatropha Curcus in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, planted in June, 2007 after returning from Jatropha World 2007 in Jaipur, India. We have been harvesting capsules since March, 2008 and using the seeds for nursery stock.
We would now like to start extracting oil from the seeds.
Can you provide availability of small scale oil extraction machines and the best technique to be used.
Thank you
#7. momen salih, October 17th, 2008
October 17th 2008
We have been planting Jatropha seeds in aNursery since last year, the growth was good, although some plants still in Plastic bags others were transferred to land.we usedin some area Sewage water,growth was slow abit down ,however now started to Grow well.
we are aquiring land,10,000 hectare and we intend to Grow Jatropha,Moringa,Paulownia
But we need Financier Partner to this Project.We have support and encouragement from Government
and we can get as much as 100000 hectare once we Plant the Ist 10,000.
If Interested please contact us.
thank you,
momen salih,Khartoum,sudan
#8. Al, November 13th, 2008
I would be interested to hear from anyone who can recommend the best jetropha varieties they know of,
and what could be the oil extraction percentage? I herd of a Malaysian variety of 60%. Is that commonly found?
Al
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