Abstract
Biomass is one of the most competitive renewable energy resource and can be used for heating for rural applications. A economic assessment was made of biomass heating, using the tool BIOH2000 from $RETScreen^{\circledR}$ International Clean Energy Decision Support Centre. For a 260kW heating system for 50 farm houses, the assessment showed a very promising results. Internal rate of return was $19.7\%$ and year-to-positive cash flow was 5.1 years. Relative price of biomass over fossil fuel significantly affected the economic feasibility of the project. Heating demand was directly related to annual demand of biomass and economic feasibility. Relative cost of distribution pipe over the total initial costs also affected the economic feasibility of the project. The economic feasibility was expected to be improved by the probable greenhouse emission reduction credit and reduction of initial costs through utilizing existing heating system for peak or back up heating system.
