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Cost and performance potential of advanced integrated biomass gasification combined cycle power systems

Conference ·
OSTI ID:86062
; ;  [1]
  1. National Renewable Energy Lab., Golden, CO (United States)
Electric power production from biomass has the potential to significantly contribute to the power mix in the United States, and to do so with substantially reduced environmental impact. Use of dedicated energy feedstock crops for power production will approach closure of the ``carbon balance``, reduce and stabilize feedstock costs, increase the practical size of biomass power plants, and economically benefit agricultural communities. In order to realize these contributions, however, biomass power systems must be competitive on a cost and efficiency basis. In this report, the authors discuss the cost and performance potential of biomass-based integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) systems ranging in size from 60--150 MW{sub e}. In conducting this analysis, the authors focused on mature, commercial-scale IGCC systems. While technologically advanced, the gasification, gas cleanup, and turbine components incorporated are either commercially available or the subject of active, commercially-oriented development programs. The thermodynamic performance of these systems was estimated using the ASPEN process simulator. System design was based on simulation results and costs developed using established references and assuming a modular, n{sup th}-plant basis. Economic analysis and electricity cost projections were based on EPRI TAG guidelines and show promising results. The authors also compare their cost and economic results with other, similar studies on a study and normalized basis.
OSTI ID:
86062
Report Number(s):
CONF-941024--; ISBN 0-7918-1213-8
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English