Biomass Renewables
Juniper has provided numerous private and public sector clients with a comprehensive analysis of market, technologies and suitable business strategies in the biomass sector. We have particular expertise in tailoring our services to the geographical area concerned and the definition of biomass used in that country or countries.
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Biomass is a widely used term referring to a number of biosolids and organic materials. Depending on the geographical and political context, the term “biomass” is also used for different purposes. However where the definition of biomass becomes an issue is in the debate about renewable energy, and electricity in particular. The following quote in the European Renewable Electricity Directive gives a broad guideline, but leaves it to the individual member state to enforce individual standards and definitions:
‘Biomass shall mean the biodegradable fraction of products, waste and residues from agriculture (including vegetable and animal substances). Forestry and related industries, as well as the biodegradable fraction of industrial and municipal waste’… ….“The definition of Biomass used in the Directive does not prejudge the use of a different definition in national legislation, for purposes other than those set out in the Directive”. (Directive 5583/01/EC).
This confusion about the definition of biomass has been used by different interest groups to their own advantage. Thus, NGOs and some environmentalists seek to use a definition of biomass that excludes waste because of the negative image of such feeds. This image derives, in part, from a feeling that such waste should not be created in the first place and, if it is, that it should be recycled (ie materials recycling) and not used as a fuel because energy from waste has a perceived link to incineration and mass burn. Politicians have therefore been influenced in some countries to define Biomass Renewables to exclude waste feeds for regulatory and fiscal purposes. Hence waste conversion frequently does not qualify for grants and green tariffs in many countries. Every European country has or will therefore define their own standards on what counts as biomass and how it will qualify for renewable energy subsidies.
This might change over time as the Comite Europeen de Normalisation (CEN), the European standards organisation, has established a working group which will analyse the need for European standards and propose a work programme to produce standards for solid biofuels.
Because of this widespread confusion and ‘politically influenced’ definition of biomass, Juniper has divided potential biomass feeds into several categories in order to provide tailored in-depth analyses for our clients. These include the suitability of technologies for different input materials; the provision of comprehensive market studies on the biomass sector; and analysis of the potential opportunities for renewable energy investments.
Juniper’s categories include the following:
• Energy Crops, such as miscanthus, willow, silva grass etc.
• Wood wastes including forestry residues, timber production waste, barks, saw dust
• Crop Residues, such as straws and other harvesting residues from cereals
• Waste fuels such as MSW, RDF, cardboard & paper, residues from the food processing industry
• Animal wastes such as poultry and pig litter, animal slurries, meat & bone meal.
In our research we provide quantitative as well qualitative data for this sector including availability of biomass in various geographical regions, market accessibility and future potential, as well as the technical analysis of suitability for biological and/or thermal conversion.
Biomass feedstock vary significantly in physical and chemical properties – and hence they have a significant impact upon the process requirements for the biomass conversion technology as well as the regulatory status of the project. Therefore, it is important to define the type of fuel that will be used with a particular process. Here are some examples for specific feedstocks and their calorific value. Other factors such as moisture and particle size can play a role as well. Commercial criteria such as cost, energy output and availability will also influence the selection of the type of feed. Both technical and commercial factors significantly impact the overall viability of projects. Juniper’s in-house capabilities combine both aspects and provide comprehensive coverage of all issues relating to biomass utilisation for commercial projects.
| Biomass or waste |
Calorific Value ( MJ/kg) |
| Wood residue chips |
6 – 15 |
| Saw residue chips/saw dust |
6 - 10 |
| Birch bark |
7 – 11 |
| Straw |
6 - 18 |
| Coal |
27-32 |
| Unsorted MSW |
7 |
| Sorted MSW |
15 |
| RDF |
6-15 |
| Mixed Green Waste |
4 |
| Rice husks |
10-13 |
| Board/ Cartons |
15-18 |
Many governments, especially in Europe, have made commitments to generating a proportion of their electricity needs from renewable sources. While wind and solar power attract the most attention, biomass is also seen as an important potential source of renewable energy. Indeed several studies have indicated that without such generating capacity it is unlikely that target levels will be achieved.
Examples for Renewable Electricity Targets in Europe
| Country |
TWh
1997 |
TWh
2010 |
Target % of gross electricity consumption 2010 |
| France |
66 |
113 |
21 |
| Germany |
25 |
76.5 |
12.5 |
| Italy |
46.5 |
90 |
25 |
| Netherlands |
3.5 |
16 |
9 |
| Spain |
37 |
76.5 |
29.4 |
| UK |
7 |
50 |
10 |
Currently, there are varying approaches to encouraging biomass energy conversion. Many countries have set targets for the proportion of energy that is generated from renewable sources. Others have defined fixed amounts of MW capacity to be installed. The resultant electricity may be sold at a premium price over free market rates or there may be a guaranteed minimum price. In other countries, wholesale trading mechanisms are being established for green energy or renewable credits. Some governments are offering capital grants for certain types of facilities to encourage adoption of new technologies while others support the industry through R&D matching funding. In other cases opportunity costs in form of fossil fuel or climate change levies, carbon and NOx taxes will have an impact on the market. All of these mechanisms aim to increase the take-up of the technologies – and hence are strongly positive, and increasing, market drivers. The specific mechanisms that apply in particular countries will help to make individual markets, or particular applications, more attractive.
Juniper has in-depth knowledge of the Renewable Energy markets in Europe and elsewhere, our in-house model tracks the development of regulatory drivers, financial incentives and technology developments which lead to changes in market conditions and open up windows of opportunity for project developers, investors and system suppliers. We have a particular track record in the thermal conversion of biodegradables, and we are also monitoring developments in the field of composting, anaerobic digestion and other biological treatment processes.
Conversion of agri-wastes and other biomass to energy is not a new concept – but it is attracting considerable interest from environmentalists, economists and policy makers, because it has the potential to deal with several issues at the same time. These range from concerns about the global climate (as expressed through the UN treaties from Rio, Kyoto etc.) to the need for additional sources of energy to sustain economic growth.
Juniper has analysed the following technology options for a number of private clients worldwide:
|
Biomass Fuel
|
Combustion |
|
| Gasification >>>>>>>>>>> |
Combination processes |
| Pyrolysis |
|
| Co-combustion with other fuels |
|
| Co-gasification with other fuels |
|
| Digestion processes |
|
In our analysis of biomass technology options we normally consider the following criteria in order to evaluate technical suitability and commercial viability for such projects:
• biological vs. thermal treatment
• 'new' technology options vs. 'proven' systems
• regulatory status
• availability of grants/credits etc.
• public acceptance
• intellectual property rights
• fuel flexibility
• scale
• robustness of technology
• operating & capital cost
Case studies to illustrate the breadth of our analysis in this area include the following:
