Near-term opportunities for integrating biomass into the U.S. electricity supply : technical considerations / / David S. Ortiz ... [et al.].

• Author: National Energy Technology Laboratory (U.S.)
• TeilnehmendeR: Ortiz, David; National Energy Technology Laboratory (U.S.); Rand Environment, Energy, and Economic Development (Program)
• Year of Publication: 2011
• Edition: 1st ed.
• Language: English
• Series: Technical report Near-term opportunities for integrating biomass into the U.S. electricity supply
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (187 p.)
• Notes: "TR-984."

Biomass is an increasingly important source of electricity, heat, and liquid fuel. One near-term option for using biomass to generate electricity is to cofire biomass in coal-fired electricity plants. This report focuses on two aspects of biomass use: plant-site modifications, changes in operations, and costs associated with cofiring biomass; and the logistical issues associated with delivering biomass to the plant.

Table of Contents

Cover; Title Page; Copyright; Preface; Contents; Figures; Tables; Summary; Acknowledgments; Abbreviations; CHAPTER ONE: Introduction; Background, Methodology, and Study Questions; Analytical Goals and Methodology; Regulatory Considerations; Outline of This Report; CHAPTER TWO: Cofiring Experience in the United States; Introduction; Producing Electricity from Coal and Biomass; General Information on the Companies and Their Facilities; Allegheny Energy; Dominion; First Energy; Florida Crystals; NRG Energy; Precombustion Biomass Considerations; Biomass Fuel Selection

Biomass Fuel Acquisition, Receiving, Preprocessing, and Storage Biomass Fuel Handling, Processing, and Feeding; Considerations for Combustion of Biomass; Technical Concerns with Biomass Combustion; Biomass Emissions, Emission Controls, and Waste; Economic, Regulatory, and Policy Issues; Key Concerns; Summary; Key Findings; Biomass Utilization Decision Process; CHAPTER THREE: Plant-Site Costs of Cofiring; Summary of Model of Plant-Site Costs of Cofiring; Model Inputs and Outputs; Estimating the Costs of Cofiring; Results; Base-Case Input Parameters and Assumptions

Total Cost of Firing Biomass and Prices for Renewable-Electricity Credits CHAPTER FOUR: Near-Term Potential Demand for Biomass for Cofiring Applications; Introduction; Methodology and Data for Estimating Potential Biomass Demand; Current Biomass Energy Use; Near-Term Potential Demand for Biomass Energy Resources for Cofiring; Near-Term Potential Supply Constraints; CHAPTER FIVE: Logistical Considerations; Introduction; Costs of Handling, Processing, and Transporting Biomass; Loading and Unloading Biomass; Transportation; Storage Requirements and Costs; Densification Costs

Biomass Sourcing Scenarios Scenario 1: Local Supply of Biomass Energy; Scenario 2: Local and External Supply of Biomass Energy; Scenario 3: External Supply of Biomass Energy; CHAPTER SIX: Reductions in Life-Cycle Greenhouse-Gas Emissions from Cofiring with Biomass; Introduction; Estimating Greenhouse-Gas Emissions from Cofiring; Implications of Biomass Life-Cycle Greenhouse-Gas Emissions of Cofiring; CHAPTER SEVEN: Factors Influencing the Development of Biomass Markets; Introduction; Limiting Factors for Biomass Markets; Biomass Prices and Production Costs

Technological Constraints on Biomass Production Asymmetric Information; The Potential for Processing to Facilitate Biomass Market Expansion; What Would Cause Biomass Markets to Grow?; CHAPTER EIGHT: Conclusions; Plant Operators' Experiences Cofiring Biomass; The Principal Challenge with Respect to Cofiring Biomass Is Maintaining a Consistent Fuel Supply; The Choice to Cofire Biomass Depends on a Confluence of Technical and Regulatory Factors; Plant-Site Costs of Cofiring; Cofiring Biomass Results in Increased Capital and Operating Costs and Lost Revenues

Densification of Biomass Does Not Result in Plant-Site Cost Savings