Design and Construction of a Mini Wood Waste Thermal Power Plant (Abong-Mbang - Cameroon)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-gjetr/V1E4/2025-08Keywords:
Sawmill, wood waste, valorization, energy, electricityAbstract
The present study focussed on the energetic valorization of wood waste with the general objective of contributing to increasing the energy mix and flexibility in wood processing units. Specifically, it was about evaluating the quantity and composition of wood waste available at the Société de Transformation de Bois et Commerce (STBC) and estimating its energy potential, designing and experimenting with a mini-thermal power plant operating using these waste, and estimating the contribution of such an electrical production unit to meeting the company's energy needs and the associated costs. The characterization of wood waste was carried out through methodical monitoring of six (06) logs throughout the production chain and supplemented by monthly production reports and scientific data. At STBC, wood waste accounts for 62% of the volume of wood processed between March and May 2025. These wood waste consist of 24% edgings, 17% trimmings, 16% slabs, and 5% sawdust. The mini thermal power plant, only fueled with edgings and trimmings, was designed using Revit 2024 software and built with local materials. The combustion of 15 Kg of waste produced a gross thermal energy of 181.5 MJ, a useful thermal energy of 86.2 MJ, and an electrical energy of 31.8 MJ, resulting in an electrical efficiency of 17.5%. The electrical needs of STBC are currently 14 KWh/m3 of raw timbers, provided at an average cost of 148 FCFA/KWh. Thus, for a projected production of 40,000 m3 of sawn timber by 2026, the valorization of 25% of waste (13,000 T) within the system would produce 65 KWh/m3 at a competitive cost of 39 FCFA/KWh. The implementation of a thermal power plant would therefore allow STBC to cover all its electrical needs at a lower cost and even meet the electrical demand of surrounding households and services.
References
1) ATIBT-Technical and International Tropical Timber Association (2011). Valorisation of sawmill waste in Central Africa. ATIBT/FFEM/AFD Project, 6 Avenue de Saint Mandé – Paris, 14 p. https://www.atibt.org/en/p/87/tropical-timber-projects
2) ATIBT (2012). Guide for the development of cogeneration projects in the wood processing industries of the Congo Basin. Cirad-Forêt. Wood and forests of the tropics, documents no. 277 (3). 36 p. https://www.atibt.org/files/upload/technical-publications/ATIBT-GUIDE-TOME-2-FSC.pdf
3) ATIBT, 2015. Project for the Valorization of Sawmill Wood Waste in Central Africa through Biomass Cogeneration Power Plants. Final Report, 20 p. https://www.atibt.org/files/upload/technical-publications/ATIBT-Rapport_final-projet_cogeneration-1_avril_2015.pdf
4) Crehay R. & Marchal D. (2004). The wood-energy sector. Walloon Agricultural Research Centre, Department of Rural Engineering-Valbiom, pp 58-61. http://www.unipso.be/IMG/pdf/ La filière bois-énergie.pdf
5) Daoud M. & Boudellal W. (2009). Cogeneration and micro-cogeneration: solutions for improving energy efficiency. 20 p. https://fr.scribd.com/document/596141060/Cogeneration-et-micro-cogeneration-2e-ed
6) Donizeau Carrera (2001). The funds for the amortisation of electrification charges (FACE) for the development of renewable energies in off-grid sites on French territory. Decentralised rural electrification, contractual and financial mechanisms, IEPF and ADEME (Eds), pp 96-94.
7) Fitzpatrick J. J., Carroll J., Macura S. and Murphy N., 2025. How best to use forest wood for energy : Perpectives from energy efficiency and environmental considerations. Eng, 6 (5), 95, 26 p. https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6050095
8) Gerard Manik (2004). Produce electricity from wood without wasting a single bit. Itebe-ADEME, 6 p.
9) Girard Philippe, François Pinta et Laurent Van de Steene, 2003. Energy recovery from sawmill by-products. Tropical wood and forests, 2003, N° 277 (3) 5. Timber energy production Files. 13 p. https://revues.cirad.fr/index.php/BFT/article/view/20184GTZ, 2012. Technical note on wood energy in Cameroon. The Technical Team of GTZ/Pro PSFE/Eastern Province-Cameroon Antenna, 14 p.
10) Hung-Hsieh H., Meng-Pei L., Chien-Hao C., Lin-Chieh S., Chien-Neng L., Jing-Yi H., Huey-Lin H. (2013). Enhanced Seebeck coefficient of bismuth telluride compounds with graded doping profiles. Applied physics letters 103, 163903, AIP Publishing. https://pubs.aip.org/aip/apl/article/103/16/163903/25632/Enhanced-Seebeck-coefficient-of-bismuth-telluride
11) IEPF-Institute of Energy and Environment of the Francophonie (2005). Biomass Energy Guide, 2nd Edition. Collection Points de Repère, 418 p.
12) Kamkuimo P., Ayouba S. et Mbarga A. (2018) Study on the baseline situation for the valorization of waste from forestry and sawmill operations in the East Region of Cameroon, ASD, 76 p. https://www.asd.contact/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Rapport-dEtude-de-reference-valorisation-rebuts-Est.pdf
13) MINFOF (2006). Programme 963 "Valorisation of woody and non-woody forest resources." Ministerial note.
14) MINFOF (2012). Decision No. 2012/0353/D/MINFOF of February 27, 2012, on the categorisation and levels of wood processing units based in Cameroon, 5 p.
15) MINFOF (2022). Statistical Yearbook 2020 of MINFOF.
16) Ndangue Liliane (2025). Here are the causes of the power outages and electricity shortage in Cameroon. Excerpt from the press release by the Cameroonian Minister of Energy and Water, Actu-Cameroun, Edition of January 14, 2025.
17) Ndinchout Ferdinand (2020). Feasibility study of a cogeneration system for energy autonomy within SFID and the Mbang community in Eastern Cameroon. End-of-study thesis, DIPET II, ENSET, University of Yaoundé 1, 89 p.
18) Ngahane E.L., Maapou M.K. & Tchiofo L.R. (2025). Design and implementation of an experimental thermoelectric system from wood waste. European Scientific Journal, ESJ, 21 (6), pp 41-56. https://doi.org/10.19044/esj.2025.v21n6p41
19) Ngahane E.L., Djuite D. O. & Tchiofo L. R. (2025). Manufacture of a panel based on wood waste and its use in the creation of furniture (Ebolowa-Cameroon). JCAS, 22 (2), pp 167-180. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jcas.v22i2.5
20) Republic of Cameroon (2012). Decree No. 2012/2806/PM of September 24, 2012. Implementing certain provisions of Law No. 2011/022 of December 14, 2011, governing the electricity sector in Cameroon.
21) United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UN-ECA), RES4Africa Foundation, 2023. Analysis of the Policy and Regulatory Framework of the Electricity Market in Cameroon: Attracting Private Sector Investment, 92 p. https://www.uneca.org/fr/analyse-du-cadre-politique-et-r%C3%A9glementaire-du-secteur-de-l%27%C3%A9lectricit%C3%A9-cameroun-attirer-les
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 NGAHANE Emilienne Laure, KEPDEM SIME Suzie, TCHIOFO LONTSI Rodine, MAAPOU MEGUEDONG Kelly (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
