An evaluation of the performance of integrated bioenergy systems
- Aston Univ., Birmingham (United Kingdom)
- Aberdeen Univ. (United Kingdom); and others
A comprehensive study of biomass production conversion and utilisation systems has been carried out to examine complete bio-energy systems from biomass in the forest to electricity delivered to the grid. Models have been derived for all of the key steps in an integrated process which have been compiled into an overall system model. Biomass production from short rotation forestry and from conventional forestry is modelled on an individual operation basis in terms of the performance and cost of each step. This includes planting, maintenance, harvesting, chipping, storage and transport. Biomass conversion includes pretreatment (reception, storage, handling, comminution, screening and drying); atmospheric gasification (generic gasifier, water scrubbing, gas engine); pressure gasification (generic gasifier, hot gas clean-up, gas turbine, HRSG, steam turbine); fast pyrolysis for liquid bio-fuel-oil (pyrolyser, oil storage, dual fuel engine); combustion (fluid bed combustor, steam turbine). Results from the model have been validated and results are included in the paper in terms of electricity production costs at different outputs using each feed and each conversion route. Feed production costs for each case are also included. Further analyses are presented that vary the configuration of a basic system, highlighting the influence of system interfaces on overall production costs. The results show that bio-electricity is only viable with modest incentives, but at larger scales of operation and with the benefits of learning effects on capital costs, bio-electricity will soon be able to compete with conventional electricity without requiring support.
- Research Organization:
- National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 115374
- Report Number(s):
- NREL/CP-200-8098; CONF-9508104-; ON: DE95009230; TRN: 95:006736-0157
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 2. meeting on biomass of the Americas, Portland, OR (United States), 21-24 Aug 1995; Other Information: PBD: [1995]; Related Information: Is Part Of Second biomass conference of the Americas: Energy, environment, agriculture, and industry. Proceedings; PB: 1741 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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