RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCE
BIOMASS ENERGY
Introduction
Enough Biomass resources in the world to cover the worlds
energy demand. (1)
_ Using Biomass sources for power generation is CO2
neutral.
_ More economically viable now with CDM and CER certs
sale (for
certain situations - primarily on methane emission
reduction).
Abundant Biomass resources in Asia
More than 30% of the worlds Biomass resources located in
Asia. (1)
Cost competitive rates for labor input and transportation.
Various technologies and options available
Direct Biomass
combustion
Generation of electricity through heat & steam
Biomass Liquefaction via Pyrolysis
Power generation by combustion of pyrolysis oil
Gasification of Biomass
Power generation using derived producer gas
Organic plant based oil (i.e. Crude Palm Oil - CPO)
Generation of electricity using CPO
Biogas anaerobic digestion
Power generation using scrubbed methane gas
Biomass Combustion
Relatively established and proven technologies
Economically viable for sizes between 6MWe to 15MWe
Economical viability of Biomass combustion
Example from a high cost country: Japan
Fuel cost around 5000 yen (USD 42) per ton wood waste
Construction cost USD 2.7 million per MWe
Electricity selling price USD 12.5 cents per kWh
Estimated break-even (payback) time is 6 years
Eg. low cost: Malaysia
EFB fuel USD 6.3
USD 1.8 mio MWe
Elect sell USD 6.4c
Breakeven 7 yrs
Viable without subsidy
6Prospective segments & challenges
Biomass Combustion Power plant is attractive to:
Industrial Factories owners
Plantation/Mill owners
Sugar cane (Bagasse)
Rice (Rice Husks)
Wood/Paper (Wood Wastes)
Corn (Corn Wastes)
Palm Oil (Empty Fruit Bunches, Shells)
Cassava (Roots, Stems)
Able to supply both Electricity and Heat (steam) for factory
use
Main challenges:
securing the long term supply of Biomass fuel source at
stable prices
selling price of electricity, if connected to the grid to sell
electricity
Biomass Liquefaction via Pyrolysis
A process similar to Gasification
Heating of Hydrocarbons in zero oxygen condition
Condenses the vapors to obtain Bio-oil (pyrolysis oil)
Bio-oil is easily transportable, store and handle
Can be combusted in boiler for heat or electrical generation
(4) Economical viability of pyrolysis oil
Quick Comparision
Crude oil (fossil) at
USD 50 per barrel
USD 12 per GJ (4)
EFB pyrolysis oil
USD 8 per GJ (4)
Suitable for factory
process heat & electric
Prospective segments & challenge
Example solution for EFB pyrolysis oil
Attractive to Palm Oil Mill owners
Coverts EFB wastes into Bio-oil
CER credit for better profitability
Closed cycle for mills waste
If tap POME for Biogas
Main challenge:
Need Cheap electricity
supply for the pyrolysis process
(can be obtained from Biogas plant)
Gasification of Biomass
Obtain producer gas (syngas) through heating of Biomass in
limited oxygen condition
Stoichiometric (normal) combustion has air-to-fuel ratio of
6:1
Sub-stoichiometric (gasification) has air-to-fuel ratio of
1.5:1
Syngas: H2 20%, CO2 12%, CH4 3%, CO 20%, balance N2
Prospective segments & challenges
Small sized Biomass Gasifiers
Suitable for remote electrification
using wood chips / blocks
Ideal for small factories, mills
Electricity, process heat
Main challenges:
Small sized biomass needs to
be briquetted.
Maintenance in remote Region
can be difficult and expensive
Organic plant based oil Crude Palm Oil (CPO)
Economical viability of CPO
Challenges Evironmental issues
"... carbon released from peat swamps in Indonesia and
Malaysia
that had been drained and burned to plant palm oil trees."
(8)
"The four-year study found that ... those 2 billion tons of
CO2
account for 8 percent of the world's fossil fuel emissions." (8)
"Major power companies are divided on whether to continue
or
pursue palm oil generation." (8)
Suitable situations & segments for Biofuels use
Non-productive land, plant Jatropha
Small scale CPO for electricity generation
Biofuels use in transportation vehicles
Vehicles difficult to be carbon neutral
Helps to reduce air pollution
Biogas anaerobic digestion
Substrate storage and utilization
Output substrate is stabilized and can be applied to fields as
a
liquid fertilizer.
Rich in nutrients including nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P),
potassium (K) and other trace elements.
Project references
Large Biogas
Jterbog 1.700 kW el.
Grna 625 kW el.
Schwanebeck 625 kW el.
Gollensdorf 625 kW el.
Lbau 716 kW el.
Prospective segments & challenges
Large sized Biogas system
Suitable for plantations, mills and
factories that has organic solid
wastes or waste water.
Able to produce large amount of
electricity and heat from animal
manure too.
Connect to the grid or for internal
factory use.
Main challenge:
Long term supply of organic
feedstock at reasonable price
Technics is Europes largest and fastest growing
system integrator for renewable energy
Company:
Founded 1996 by Hans-Martin Rter
Hamburg, Germany
Experience out of 5000 power plants
between 20 W and 20 MW
Part of the Conergy group
over 1400 employees worldwide
Fast global expansion
