Title:
Life Cycle Impact Assessment of Power Generation and Combined Heat and Power Generation by Woody Biomass
Author(s):
Komata, H., Ishikawa, Y., Ishiko, S.
Document(s):
Paper
Poster
Abstract:
Since a feed-in-tariff (FIT) was introduced in Japan, the power generation which used woody biomass is attracting more attention. Profitability of the plant above a certain scale would be able to be secured by FIT. On the other hand, it is also necessary for the plant to implement life cycle assessment (LCA). First of all, we developed the simulator which enabled to estimate the overall efficiency of the plant by entering the supply amount of wood and extraction condition of steam and so on. Environmental performance of power generation, and combined heat and power generation by woody biomass were evaluated based on LCA. The following 3 scenarios were schemed on the condition that the woody biomass of 200,000 m3 (log equivalent)/year was available. The following three scenarios for woody biomass systems were considered for LCA: scenario B1: 200,000 m3 of woody biomass is consumed by one power plant that produces power only; scenario B2: 200,000 m3 of woody biomass is divided evenly and consumed by each of two power plants that produce power only; scenario B3: the 200,000 m3 of woody biomass is divided evenly and consumed by each of two CHP plants that produce heat and power. The external costs associated with woody biomass systems are at least 24%, at most 69% lower than those associated with fossil fuel systems, and woody biomass systems are more eco-friendly than fossil fuel systems. The reduction in external costs is greater for CHP systems that produce both heat and power than systems that product power only. Recycling ash and combustion residue and preventing these materials from being landfilled are important means for efficiently lowering the external costs associated with woody biomass systems.
Keywords:
biomass, life cycle assessment (LCA), power generation, wood, impact
Topic:
Biomass Conversion Technologies for Heating, Cooling and Electricity
Subtopic:
Biomass combustion in large utilities
Event:
23rd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
2BV.2.47
Pages:
736 - 740
ISBN:
978-88-89407-516
Paper DOI:
10.5071/23rdEUBCE2015-2BV.2.47
Price:
FREE
