2007 Biofuels & Feedstocks

Prospects & Challenges of Biomass

& Biofuels usage in Power
Generation
Introduction

Enough Biomass resources in the world to cover the world’s

energy demand. (1)

Using Biomass sources for power generation is CO2 neutral.

More economically viable now with CDM and CER cert’s sale (for
certain situations - primarily on methane emission reduction).

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Abundant Biomass resources in Asia

(1)

More than 30% of the world’s Biomass resources located in Asia.

Cost competitive rates for labor input and transportation.

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Various technologies and options available

Direct Biomass combustion

Generation of electricity through heat & steam (2)

Biomass Liquefaction via Pyrolysis

Power generation by combustion of pyrolysis oil (2)

Gasification of Biomass

Power generation using derived producer gas (2)

Organic plant based oil (i.e. Crude Palm Oil - CPO)

Generation of electricity using CPO (4)

Biogas anaerobic digestion

Power generation using scrubbed methane gas
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Biomass Combustion

Relatively established and proven technologies

Economically viable for sizes between 6MWe to 15MWe

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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

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Prospective segments & challenges
(2)

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
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Biomass Liquefaction via Pyrolysis

A process similar to Gasification

Heating of Hydrocarbons in zero oxygen condition (4)

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

Ref. (3)

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Economical viability of pyrolysis oil

Quick Comparision

Crude oil (fossil) at

USD 50 per barrel

(4)

~ USD 12 per GJ

EFB pyrolysis oil

(4)

~ USD 8 per GJ

Suitable for factory

Ref. (4)

process heat & electric

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Prospective segments & challenges

Example solution for EFB pyrolysis oil Ref. (4)

Attractive to Palm Oil Mill owners

Coverts EFB wastes into Bio-oil

CER credit for better profitability

Closed cycle for mill’s waste

If tap POME for Biogas

Main challenge: Need cheap electricity

supply for the pyrolysis process

(can be obtained from Biogas plant)

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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

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Economical viability of Biomass Gasification
Ref. (5)

USD 25 per ton

USD 35 per ton USD 16 per ton

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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

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Organic plant based oil – Crude Palm Oil (CPO)

Ref. (6)

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Economical viability of CPO
Ref. (7)

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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 Biofuel’s 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

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Biogas anaerobic digestion

Ref. (9)

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Large Biogas System - Material Flow Chart

Fermentation External
Reactor Desulfurization

CHP
Biogas

Substrate
Pre Tank

Thermal Energy

Solid
Transformer
Dosage Unit
Post
Fermentation
Reactor Current

Storage Tank

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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.

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Project references

Large Biogas

Jüterbog 1.700 kW el.

Gröna 625 kW el.

Schwanebeck 625 kW el.

Gollensdorf 625 kW el.

Löbau 716 kW el.

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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

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SunTechnics is Europe‘s largest and fastest growing
system integrator for renewable energy

Company:

Renewable Energy

Founded 1996 by Hans-Martin Rüter
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

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SunTechnics focuses on the demand of customers

Our business:

Engineering

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Distribution

Installation

Maintenance

Systems:

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Each customer demands individual solutions – we
deliver the corresponding renewable energy technology

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Off-gridsystems
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systems
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installations Specialinstallations
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Scale
installations

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We provide customer service and support in all stages

First contact Engineering / Planning Distribution

System installation After sales service Service and maintenance

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SunTechnics is an important part of the global acting
Conergy Group

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References

(1) Curbing Global Warming by Increasing the Economic Value of Forests, Biomass Energy. [National Institute of Advanced Industrial
Science and Technology – AIST]

(2) Planning and Installing Bioenergy Systems. A guide for installers, architects and engineers. [The German Solar Energy Society
(DGS), Ecofys 2005]

(3) Pyrolysis and Other Thermal Processing. [U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Biomass Program]
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/printable_versions/pyrolysis.html

(4) Genting Bio-Oil Sdn. Bhd.

(5) Cost of Electricity Generation by Biomass-based Power Stations. [D.E.S.I. Power]

http://www.desipower.com/economics/cost_electricity.htm

(6) Power Generation from Palm Oil. A UNIDO Initiative. [Dipl.Ing. Walter Danner]
http://www.ics.trieste.it/Documents/Downloads/df4334.pdf

(7) Development of Renewable Energy in Malaysia. [Ah Ngan Ma, Yuen May Choo, Kien Yoo Cheah, Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB)]
http://www.ics.trieste.it/Documents/Downloads/df1637.pdf

(8) Scientists Weigh Downside of Palm Oil. [By ARTHUR MAX, Associated Press Writer] http://www.physorg.com/news94654007.html

(9) Asia hits the gas. Biogas from anaerobic digestion rolls out across Asia. [Wim J. van Nes, Renewable Energy World. Jan-Feb 2006]

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Thank you for your attention.

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