An overview analysis of possible on-site renewable energy technologies for medium scale industries in Sri Lanka : A case study of a newspaper company in Sri Lanka

Abstract: The world is now facing a transition from a fossil fuel dependent society to an energy sustainable one. This is happening by the world moving towards renewable energy resources and technologies. To realize and accelerate the transition, the key stakeholders of energy systems, such as the industries around the world needs to be involved and contribute to this transition. This paper investigates the possibilities of implementing on-site renewable energy technology solutions, for a medium-scale company in the developing country Sri Lanka. This company, Wijeya Newspapers Ltd., in particular has its own intention and vision of being 100% carbon neutral in their operations. This study keeps its major focus on the aspects of economical sustainability and technological feasibility but the environmental and societal impacts are investigated as well. Wijeya Newspaper’s printing factory form the base of this study and is located in Hokandaraarea outside the capital town Colombo. Among the options of renewable energy, the potential of solar power is large at the location and the area of the rooftop could generate 640 MWh electricity every year. As the factory is located in an urban area, the option wind power plant is not practical, due to poor wind conditions and other reasons. The bioenergy, in the form of biogas is produced in the factory by taking organic waste into an anaerobic digester. This generate a daily production of around 30 m3 biogas which could contribute to around 18 MWhelectricity on an annual basis. By looking at and analyzing data for the area and the factory’s operation alongside practical work, literature studies and calculations, the feasibilities of generating electricity from biomass, wind and solar energy was done. In conclusion, generating energy from biomass, solar and windpower on-site, is technically feasible but solar power and bioenergy are the only ones that could generate economic and environmental savings. However, neither of these renewable energy technologies will alone or in combination be able to supply the factory’s total energy demand, due to the practical limitations posed by the location. Among those three renewable options, also encouraged by Sri Lanka energy regulations and promotional efforts by the governmentfor solar energy in urban areas, the solar PV rooftop system has become the most economically feasible option.