Techno-economic analysis of forest biomass blends gasification for small-scale power production facilities in the Azores

Cardoso, João; Silva, Valter; Eusébio, Daniela; Azevedo, Inês L.; Tarelho, L.A.C.

doi:10.1016/j.fuel.2020.118552

Cited by 31 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Sines municipality is also the preferred location for the unit as it resides within a region with an estimated forest biomass yield from 20,151 to 26,756 tons/year (Figure 3), covering for the plant's average consumption of 11,324 tons/year (considering a baseload annual operation of 7160 h). 42 The small-scale power plant's feedstock will rely essentially on residual forest biomass blends (up to 90% of the total fuel burned) comprising essentially eucalyptus, pine trees, and some oak. Eucalyptus and pine trees will make up most of the fuel blend being the most predominant species in the region.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…44 The use of biomass blends is beneficial as it allows increasing supply efficiency while avoiding feedstock disruption. 42 The power plant's provisioning policy is within the acceptable performance range and does not hinder the attained gas quality. 45 Furthermore, the gasifying performance behavior in dealing with several forestry residues has already been thoroughly studied by research groups in similar fluidized bed gasifiers at various scales.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Small-Scale Biomass Gasification for Green Ammonia Production in Portugal: A Techno-Economic Study

et al. 2021

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A renewed interest revolves around ammonia through its synthesis via renewable energy sources, promoting green ammonia as a genuine contender and preeminent carbonfree energy carrier within the hydrogen economy. A National Hydrogen Strategy has already been set by the Portuguese Government, focusing on decarbonizing the national industry, while substantially reducing natural gas and fossil fuel-based ammonia imports. This study delivers a techno-economic assessment of a small-scale green ammonia production facility using biomass gasification in mainland Portugal. An improved economic model combining the net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), modified internal rate of return (MIRR), payback period (PBP), and discounted payback period (DPBP) is set to determine the project feasibility. A Monte Carlo sensitivity analysis is implemented to gauge the risks associated with the venture. Several environmental considerations are also addressed concerning the carbon footprint of deploying a biomass-to-ammonia system compared to conventional fossil fuel-based ammonia. Under current market conditions, the power plant is predictably economically feasible with an NPV of 3714 k€, IRR of 24.32%, MIRR of 14.99%, PBP of 4.6 years, and DPBP of 5.8 years. The sensitivity analysis foresees affordable risks for investors, although investment loss is more likely to occur due to NPV failure, being remarkably sensitive to ammonia production and ammonia sales price fluctuations. Finally, the geographic location set for the biomass-to-ammonia power plant has the potential to enable a bioeconomy and circular economy framework for increased renewability and improved productivity, while promoting sustainable agricultural practices in the region.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Small-Scale Biomass Gasification for Green Ammonia Production in Portugal: A Techno-Economic Study

et al. 2021

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“…Several studies tried to evaluate the economic profitability of biomass gasification CHP plants [89][90][91][92][93][94]. Colantoni et al [89] used Montecarlo simulation to evaluate important economic indicators, like Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and Payback Time (PBT), of three different gasification CHP power plants (13.6 kW, 136 kW, and 1.9 MW nominal electrical capacity).…”

Section: Cost Efficiencymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this case, a PBT range for 3.5 to 5.5 was evaluated. Cardoso et al [91] assessed the energetic valorization of forest biomass blends in the archipelago of the Azores through small scale biomass gasifiers. The results showed that 100 kW units were economically impracticable, while the 1000 kW units were found to be economically feasible with an NPV of 486 k€, IRR of 17.44% and PBP of 7.4 years.…”

Section: Cost Efficiencymentioning

confidence: 99%

Barriers to Success: A Technical Review on the Limits and Possible Future Roles of Small Scale Gasifiers

Allesina¹,

Pedrazzi²

2021

Energies

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Literature and manuals refer to biomass gasification as one of the most efficient processes for power generation, highlighting features, such as residual biomass use, distributed generation and carbon sequestration, that perfectly incorporate gasification into circular economies and sustainable development goals. Despite these features, small scale applications struggle to succeed as a leading solution for sustainable development. The aim of this review is to investigate the existing technological barriers that limit the spreading of biomass gasification from a socio-technical point of view. The review outlines how existing technologies originated from under feed-in-tariff regimes and highlights where the current design goals strongly differ from what will be needed in the near future. Relevant market-ready small-scale gasification systems are analyzed under this lens, leading to an analysis of the reactor and filtration design. To help understand the economical sustainability of these plants, an analysis of the influence of capital expenditures and operating expenditures on the return of investment is included in the discussion. Finally, a literature review on prototypes and pre-market reactors is used as a basis for spotting the characteristics of the system that will likely resolve issues around fuel flexibility, cost efficiency and load variability.

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“…Cardoso et al 64 has carried out a feasibility analysis of forest biomass‐based gasifier system for Azores Island. The study found a 1000 kW capacity system more feasible compared with 100 kW and the system is found to be very sensitive toward sale tariff rate and electricity production.…”

Section: Various Combinations Of Biomass Hresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biomass‐based gaseous fuel for hybrid renewable energy systems: An overview and future research opportunities

2020

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Summary Growth in global energy demand, with major fossil fuel consumption, has induced detrimental environmental and social impacts. Therefore, in recent years, technologies focused on renewable energy utilization, including biomass energy, have evolved to meet the energy requirements. Bioenergy‐based power generation systems are among the best‐unutilized configurations to diminish reliance on fossil fuels. However, it is difficult to select a biomass‐based configuration for economical, sustainable, and reliable power generation. Understanding different possible configurations of biomass‐based energy systems, design parameters, system research gaps, and integration challenges in biomass‐based energy systems are important for further development and propagation. This paper presents a critical review of biomass‐based different hybrid configurations with solar, wind, fuel cell, micro‐hydro, geothermal, and diesel generator, and various designing parameters, challenges, and gaps with future scope. To restrict the scope of the review, only the gasification and anaerobic digestion related biomass electricity generation systems are considered. The analysis indicates that the biomass‐based hybrid energy systems can provide an eco‐friendly and cost‐effective solution, especially for off‐grid rural electrification. The solar radiation, load demand, fuel price, capacity shortage, interest rate, wind speed, biomass quantity, and electricity rate are among the most critical designing parameters in biomass‐based energy systems. The study provides valuable information to designers, researchers, and policy makers on the latest design constraints and relevant policies relating to biomass‐based hybrid energy systems.

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Techno-economic analysis of forest biomass blends gasification for small-scale power production facilities in the Azores

Cited by 31 publications

References 29 publications

Small-Scale Biomass Gasification for Green Ammonia Production in Portugal: A Techno-Economic Study

Small-Scale Biomass Gasification for Green Ammonia Production in Portugal: A Techno-Economic Study

Barriers to Success: A Technical Review on the Limits and Possible Future Roles of Small Scale Gasifiers

Biomass‐based gaseous fuel for hybrid renewable energy systems: An overview and future research opportunities

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