IEA Energy Technology Essentials: Biomass for Power Generation and Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
Overview:
The International Energy Agency's (IEA) Energy Technology Essentials provide comprehensive information on energy technologies, including biomass for power generation and combined heat and power (CHP). This report focuses specifically on biomass utilization for these purposes, detailing processes, typical costs, status, potential, barriers, feedstocks, and conversion paths.
Key Findings:
Processes:
- Biomass Combustion: Carbon-free when using plants' previously captured CO2.
- Biomass Cogeneration: Potential to reach 85%-90% total efficiency.
- Anaerobic Digestion: Produces biogas for small, off-grid applications.
- Bio-refineries: May lead to combined production of bio-chemicals, electricity, and biofuels.
Typical Costs:
- Co-firing: Requires limited incremental investment, potentially competitive electricity costs.
- Dedicated Biomass Plants: Higher costs due to plant size and feedstock availability.
- Cogeneration Mode: Electricity costs range from $40 to $90/MWh.
- Gasification Plants: Initial costs around $100-$130/MWh, with significant future potential for cost reduction.
Status:
- Expansion in Northern Europe: Utilizing wood residues for co-generation.
- United States and Sugar Cane Bagasse Countries: Also showing growth.
- Small Projects: Record proliferation in OECD and emerging economies.
- Global Capacity: Approximately 47 GW, with 2-3 GW added annually.
Potential & Barriers:
- Short Term: Co-firing remains the most cost-effective use of biomass for power generation.
- Mid-Long Term: Potential expansion of BIG/GT plants and bio-refineries.
- Barriers: Include costs, conversion efficiency, transportation costs, feedstock availability, logistics, and risks related to intensive farming practices.
Feedstocks & Processes:
- Resources: Agricultural residues, animal manure, forestry and industrial waste, dedicated energy crops, organic wastes, and sewage sludge.
- Conversion Paths: From solid biomass to various end products through various processes like combustion, gasification, fermentation, anaerobic digestion, and more.
Summary:
The utilization of biomass for power generation and CHP presents a viable solution for clean, reliable power sources. Co-firing is currently the most cost-effective method, particularly when using locally available, high-quality biomass. However, the technology faces challenges such as varying costs, conversion efficiencies, and feedstock availability. Emerging technologies like bio-refineries show promise in enhancing the production of multiple products from biomass. Despite potential barriers, the biomass sector is expanding globally, driven by abundant resources and favorable policies. Future developments in biomass utilization are anticipated to improve efficiency and reduce costs, making it an increasingly attractive option in the energy mix.
