Potential GHG reduction and reduction cost of combined heat and power production by gasification of various biomass feedstock
Abstract
According to Directive 2009/28/EC (EU RED) a comprehensive study was performed to determine the potential greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction for the combined production of heat and power from solid biomass via gasification. The potential GHG reduction of biomass conversion to electricity (and heat) ranges from around 550 g/kWhel without heat utilization to 841 g/kWhel with complete heat utilization. For the commercial scale (5 to 10 MW fuel input) the reduction costs range from about 200 /t CO2-equivalent without heat utilization to around 80 /t with heat utilization. These values can be compared to reduction costs of other processes for electricity production from renewable sources: the reduction costs for photovoltaic energy are around 850 /t; for wind energy, around 125 /t; for hydro po wer, around 30 /t and for biogas plants with anaerobic digestion, between 200 and 290 /t, depending on heat utilization. To sum up, it can be determined that combined heat and power production from solid (residual) biomass by autothermal gasification can greatly contribute to the aim of the German government to reduce the GHG emissions by 20 % by 2020 and that this reduction can be achieved at competitive costs.
