Paper details

Title:

Utilisation of Miscanthus for a Small-Scale Heat Supply Chain - a Systems Approach

Author(s):

Brandmair, M., Knörzer, H., Lewandowski, I.

Document(s):

Abstract:

A small scale thermal bioenergy initiative scenario was created for a group of buildings nearby Augsburg, Germany. A systems approach was made to study and analyse the biomass demand, biomass supply, investment costs as well as the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in order to satisfy the heat demand of the selected buildings with special regard to sustainability. An agricultural farmstead will produce the biomass and provide the additional consumers around with thermal energy. For the economic assessment, a cost estimate from a local engineering company was made. Furthermore, a life cycle assessment (LCA) was used to gain an overview of GHG reduction and to proof the initiative’s sustainability. The fact that Miscanthus x giganteus is a very efficient and potential biomass­producing C4 warm grass species and has favourable combustion qualities, it was chosen as model crop. In conclusion, a small­scale chip boiler combined with a local heat distribution network supplied with regionally grown miscanthus can be a highly sustainable and eco­friendly way of satisfying heat demand in rural areas. Nevertheless, miscanthus establishment costs and boiler costs are rather high.

Keywords:

agroenergy farm, combustion, life cycle assessment (LCA), miscanthus, supply chain

Topic:

Technology Deployment and Industrial Demonstration

Subtopic:

Biomass utilisation in the heat and CHP sector

Event:

19th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition

Session:

VP4.1.14

Pages:

2266 - 2269

ISBN-13:

978-88-89407-55-4

ISBN-10:

88-89407-55-7

Paper DOI:

10.5071/19thEUBCE2011-VP4.1.14

Price:

FREE