Title:
Technical and Economical Technology Comparison for Small and Medium Scale Electricity Production from Biomass
Author(s):
Carvalho, M.M.O., Azalin Jr., F., Vakkilainen, E.K.
Document(s):
Paper
Poster
Abstract:
Biomass is a reliable, dispatchable, and abundant fuel source for renewable electricity production. Several technologies have been developed and reached commercial maturity for small and medium scale thermal power facilitiessuch as: grate firing combustion, fluidized bed combustion. Recently several commercial biomass gasification plants have been commissioned. Biomass gasification can be combined to a steam cycle or to abiomass integrated gasification combined cycle (BIGCC). Each of these technologies have advantages and drawbacks, and the best solution may vary depending on the plant size, biomass source and site-related features, e.g. low-temperature heating demand. In spite of the large biomass resources, thermal power from biomass has not taken off in South-America. Therefore, the objective of this work is to compare, under technical and economical points of view, different technologies for electricity production from biomass in small/medium scale plants. The locationis in the southeast region of Brazil. Mass and energy balances for each technology were calculated considering Eucalyptus wood chips as the main fuel. As expected, BIGCC was the most efficient but also the most expensive technology. For small scale applications, biomass combustion is still the most attractive solution under the economical point of view.
Keywords:
bioenergy, developing countries, electricity sector, decentralized generation
Topic:
Biomass Conversion Technologies for Heating, Cooling and Electricity
Subtopic:
Biomass and bioliquids combustion for small and medium scale applications
Event:
24th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
2BV.1.30
Pages:
687 - 692
ISBN:
978-88-89407-165
Paper DOI:
10.5071/24thEUBCE2016-2BV.1.30
Price:
FREE
