Introduction

As part of the transition towards more sustainable energy models, AITESA participated in the waste-to-energy project at a sugar plant located in San Pedro de Macorís (Dominican Republic). This facility, dedicated to the production of sugar from sugar cane, uses dry bagasse as fuel to power its heat and electricity generation systems.

The main objective was to optimize the thermal performance of the plant and maximize the use of bagasse as a renewable energy resource.

AITESA Solution

AITESA was responsible for the development of the basic and detailed engineering of the project. This project consisted of the integration of a biomass boiler that used bagasse as fuel, a Siemens steam turbine that used the steam produced in the boiler to generate electricity. Part of the steam produced was also used in the process of the sugar mill that provided the bagasse.

The solution was designed taking into account the particular conditions of bagasse as fuel and the operational requirements of the plant, maximizing energy efficiency with maximum system reliability.

Results

The plant, after its start-up, achieved:

• Generate 30 MW of electrical energy, which is injected into the country’s electrical grid.
• Optimize the use of bagasse, reducing the consumption of fossil fuels.
• Advance its sustainability objectives by using a clean, internally available energy source.

This project reflects AITESA’s commitment to energy efficiency in agri-food industries, and its capacity to develop technical solutions adapted to biomass of agricultural origin with high thermal potential.