Biomass based microturbine system for electricity generation for isolated communities in amazon region

This paper presents the development stages of a micro-scale system for electricity generation from biomass with 500 W of power. The proposed system is based on an open steam power cycle, whose conception was aimed at seeking solutions to meet the needs for energy supply in isolated communities in the Amazon region. In addition the great biomass potential in the region is an opportunity for the application of biomass energy to increase the economic activity and develop new technologies. The tests performed demonstrate that the steam turbine is the critical component to the commercial-scale feasibility of the presented technology, particularly when it's proposed manufacturing of the system by small regional industries. •An innovative water steam micro-scale plant is proposed.•Solution to meet the needs for energy supply in isolated communities in the Amazon region is proposed.•High potential for use of electric generation systems using biomass as source energy exists in the Amazon region.•Results firstly presented a significant difference between the predicted thermodynamic model and the experiments.