In a world where renewable energy is the gold standard for many, it is surprising that so few know the ins and outs of biopower.

Biomass has been successfully used for decades as an energy source, and is certainly a proven technology.

While there are a number of different types of biomass boilers, the key elements of biomass systems are the same. Fuel is fed to the grate mechanically, where it undergoes combustion to produce energy.

For farmers, biomass energy production is an absolute favourite – so why isn’t more known about it?

What types of Biopower are there?

Biopower essentially convert renewable biomass fuels into heat and/or electricity using processes very similar to those used to convert fossil fuels. However, unlike fossil fuels, biomass fuels are renewable and not necessarily as finite. There are three ways in which to release the energy stored in biomass to produce biopower – burning, bacterial decay, and conversion to gas/liquid fuel.

Burning

This is the method that is most commonly implemented. Most electricity that is produced from biomass will be produced from direct combustion – where biomass is burned in a boiler to produce high-pressure steam which then flows over a series of turbine blades, causing them to rotate. Rotation of the turbine drives a generator, which will produce electricity.

Biomass can also serve as a substitute for a portion of coal in an existing power plant furnace in a process referred to as co-firing. Co-firing is simply the process of combusting two different types of materials at the same time.

Bacterial Decomposition (Anaerobic Digestion)

For farmers, this is a very exciting technology.

Organic waste material like animal dung or human sewage is collected in oxygen-free tanks called digesters. Due to the lack of oxygen, anaerobic bacteria break down the material and produce methane alongside other by-products. This forms a renewable natural gas which can then be purified and used to generate electricity.

Conversion to a Gas or Liquid Fuel

Biomass can also be converted to a gaseous or liquid fuel through gasification and pyrolysis.

Gasification is a process that exposes solid biomass material to high temperatures with very little oxygen present. This produces synthesis gas (referred to as syngas), a mixture that consists mostly of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Syngas can then be burned in a conventional boiler to produce electricity, or used to replace natural gas in a combined-cycle gas turbine.

Pyrolysis on the other hand uses a similar process to gasification but under slightly different operating conditions. Here, biomass is heated at a lower temperature range but in the complete absence of oxygen – which produces a crude bio-oil. Bio-oil can then be substituted for fuel oil or diesel in furnaces, turbines, and even engine for electricity production.

The Cost of Biomass Energy Production

There are obviously some costs to overcome on the way to implementing a biomass power system on your site.

The major capital cost items for biomass power systems include the fuel storage, fuel handling equipment, the combustor, boiler, prime mover, generator, controls, stack, and emissions control equipment.

Although system cost intensity tends to decrease as the system size increases, large systems require significant amounts of material – increasing haul distances and material costs. Smaller systems have higher operation and maintenance costs at a unit level and lower efficiencies when compared to large systems… Therefore, determining the optimal system size for your particular application is integral to the process.

Which, if you are a farmer with not a lot of time on your hands, can be a tricky thing to suss out…

There are also a variety of incentives already existing for biomass power, but do vary based on scale and geographical location and other variables. Finding these incentives is difficult enough in itself, but working out how they apply to you and your business is a truly tricky task.

If only you knew of an energy expert with an up-to-date industry knowledge….

Planning, Operation, and Maintenance

Operation and maintenance costs of biomass energy systems are largely derived from the costs of fuel and labour. So, in these respects, these systems are very similar to other boiler-based electricity production systems. Operation is continuous, so the cost of operation and for the purchase and storage of fuel need to be assessed alongside the overall project costs.

Biomass Sustainability

All bioliquid stations and solid biomass/biogas stations greater than or equal to 1MW must report against and meet particular sustainability criteria in order to be eligible for Renewables Obligation Certificates (ROCs). Any station smaller than this are required to report against the sustainability criteria, but receiving ROCs does not depend on meeting the criteria.

Sustainability criteria is broken down into land criteria (which focusses on the land from which the biomass is sources) and Greenhouse Gas criteria (which accounts for the life cycle GHG emissions of the biomass.

You can read more about the stringent procedure in place by Ofgem here. These guarantee the renewable and sustainable status of your biomass produced energy.

The farming energy solution – Why Farming and Energy Brokerage go Hand-in-Hand   

One thing that is universal with all sectors of farming is the long hours and physically demanding nature of the job.   

After a long shift the last thing you want to do is to return home and think about energy. Dealing with suppliers, complex calculations, paperwork, long phone calls, complex jargon, and even more paperwork…   

We don’t blame you.   

Wouldn’t it be nice to have someone on your side to alleviate the load when it comes to energy?    

That’s when partnering with an energy procurement specialist comes in handy. Acting as a knowledgeable consultant for everything energy, they’ll keep you on the best possible energy contract available to you. Saving you money and time to spend on whatever else you’d rather be doing.   

Whether you want some advice on buying certified biomass produced energy for a clean energy conscience, or want to work out if implementing biopower on site is best for your business – Energy Solutions is best placed to take you through the process one step at a time.

Energy Solutions by Us, for You         

At a time of great uncertainty in global energy markets, it is easy to feel lost in it all.        

Keeping up to date with developing situations and the associated ramifications is a tricky and time-consuming job. It is also one that is not likely a priority for you and your business.      

So, what do you do?       

You partner with energy procurement experts to take the load off your desk.       

Energy Solutions have been trusted brokers for countless businesses for over twenty years, which means we know how to navigate the energy markets during a time of uncertainty.       

Website: https://www.energybrokers.co.uk/   

Email: nick@energybrokers.co.uk   

Call Us: 0131 610 1688   

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