Biomass Energy

1
Biomass Energy

• Professor Stephen Lawrence
• Leeds School of Business
• University of Colorado Boulder

2
Biomass Agenda

• Bioenergy Overview
• Biomass Resources
• Creating Energy from Biomass
• Biomass Economics
• Biomass Environmental Issues
• Promise of Bioenergy
• Ethanol Production

3
BioEnergy Overview
4
Global Energy Sources 2002
Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press
(2004)
5
Renewable Energy Use 2001
Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press
(2004)
6
Bioenergy Cycle
http//www.repp.org/bioenergy/bioenergy-cycle-med2
.jpg
7
Bioenergy Cycle
Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press
(2004)
8
Carbon Cycle
Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press
(2004)
9
Commercial Carbon Cycle
10
US Energy Cropland
http//www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/energy/renewable/map
_bioenergy_image.html
11
US Biomass Resources
12
Biomass Resource Potential
http//www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/solar.renewables/page
/biomass/biomass.gif
13
Biomass Basic Data
Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press
(2004)
14
Solar Energy Conversion
1 hectare 2.5 acres
Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press
(2004)
15
Boiling 1l of Water
Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press
(2004)
16
Biomass Energy Production
Sector/Source 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004P
Total 2,907 2,640 2,648 2,740 2,845
Wood Energy Total 2,257 1,980 1,899 1,929 1,989
   Residential 433 370 313 359 332
   Commercial 53 40 39 40 41
   Industrial 1,636 1,443 1,396 1,363 1,448
   Electric Powera 134 126 150 167 168
Waste Energy Total 511 514 576 571 560
 MSW/Landfill Gas 400 419 467 440 443
   Commercial 41 35 37 42 43
   Industrial 64 74 87 85 88
   Electric Powera 295 310 343 314 312
 Other Biomassb 111 95 108 131 117
   Commercial 6 4 5 6 5
   Industrial 81 76 81 85 84
   Electric Powera 23 14 22 41 28
Alcohol Fuelsc 139 147 174 239 296
   Transportation 139 147 174 239 296
http//www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/solar.renewables/page
/biomass/biomass.html
17
Bioenergy Technologies
Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press
(2004)
18
Biomass Resources
19
Types of Biomass
20
Biomass Resources

• Energy Crops
• Woody crops
• Agricultural crops
• Waste Products
• Wood residues
• Temperate crop wastes
• Tropical crop wastes
• Animal wastes
• Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)
• Commercial and industrial wastes

http//www.eere.energy.gov/RE/bio_resources.html
21
Corn
http//www.geo.msu.edu/geo333/corn.html
22
Soybeans
http//agproducts.unl.edu/
23
Sorghum
http//www.okfarmbureau.org/press_pass/galleries/g
rainSorghum/
24
Sugar Cane Bagasse
http//www.nrel.gov/biomass/photos.html
25
Switchgrass
http//www.nrel.gov/biomass/photos.html
26
Hybrid Poplar
http//www.nrel.gov/biomass/photos.html
27
Corn Stover
http//www.nrel.gov/biomass/photos.html
28
Wood Chips Sawdust
http//www.nrel.gov/biomass/photos.html
http//www.energytrust.org/RR/bio/
29
Tracy Biomass Plant
Truck unloading wood chips that will fuel the
Tracy Biomass Plant, Tracy, California.
http//www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/solar.renewables/page
/biomass/biomass.html
30
Municipal Solid Waste
http//www.eeingeorgia.org/eic/images/landfill.jpg
31
Creating Energy from Biomass
32
Bioenergy Conversion
Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press
(2004)
33
Biomass Direct Combustion
Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press
(2004)
34
Heat Energy Content
Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press
(2004)
35
MSW Power Plant
Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press
(2004)
36
Composition of MSW
Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press
(2004)
37
Integrated Waste Plant
Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press
(2004)
38
EU MSW Incineration
Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press
(2004)
39
Landfill Gasses
Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press
(2004)
40
Biorefinery
http//www.nrel.gov/biomass/biorefinery.html
41
Sugar Platform

• Convert biomass to sugar or other fermentation
  feedstock
• Ferment biomass intermediates using biocatalysts
• Microorganisms including yeast and bacteria
• Process fermentation product
• Yield fuel-grade ethanol and other fuels,
  chemicals, heat and/or electricity

http//www.nrel.gov/biomass/proj_biochemical_conve
rsion.html
42
Thermochemical Platform

• Direct Combustion
• Gasification
• Pyrolysis

http//www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/thermochemical
_platform.html
43
Gasification

• Biomass heated with no oxygen
• Gasifies to mixture of CO and H2
• Called Syngas for synthetic gas
• Mixes easily with oxygen
• Burned in turbines to generate electricity
• Like natural gas
• Can easily be converted to other fuels,
  chemicals, and valuable materials

44
Biomass Gasifier

• 200 tons of wood chips daily
• Forest thinnings wood pallets
• Converted to gas at 1850 ºF
• Combined cycle gas turbine
• 8MW power output

McNeil Generating Station biomass gasifier 8MW
http//www.nrel.gov/biomass/photos.html
45
Pyrolysis

• Heat bio-material under pressure
• 500-1300 ºC (900-2400 ºF)
• 50-150 atmospheres
• Carefully controlled air supply
• Up to 75 of biomass converted to liquid
• Tested for use in engines, turbines, boilers
• Currently experimental

http//www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/pyrolysis.html
46
Pyrolysis Schmatic
http//www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/pyrolysis.html
47
Anaerobic Digestion

• Decompose biomass with microorganisms
• Closed tanks known as anaerobic digesters
• Produces methane (natural gas) and CO2
• Methane-rich biogas can be used as fuel or as a
  base chemical for biobased products.
• Used in animal feedlots, and elsewhere

http//www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/other_platform
s.html
48
Carbon Rich Platform

• Natural plant oils such as soybean, corn, palm,
  and canola oils
• In wide use today for food and chemical
  applications
• Transesterification of vegetable oil or animal
  fat produces fatty acid methyl ester
• Commonly known as biodiesel.
• Biodiesel an important commercial air-emission
  reducing additive / substitute for diesel fuel
• could be platform chemical for biorefineries.

http//www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/other_platform
s.html
49
BioFuels

• Ethanol
• Created by fermentation of starches/sugars
• US capacity of 1.8 billion gals/yr (2005)
• Active research on cellulosic fermentation
• Biodiesel
• Organic oils combined with alcohols
• Creates ethyl or methyl esters
• SynGas Biofuels
• Syngas (H2 CO) converted to methanol, or liquid
  fuel similar to diesel

http//www.eere.energy.gov/RE/bio_fuels.html
50
Biodiesel Bus
http//www.nrel.gov/biomass/photos.html
51
Plant Products Platform

• Selective breeding and genetic engineering
• Develop plant strains that produce greater
  amounts of desirable feedstocks or chemicals
• Even compounds that the plant does not naturally
  produce
• Get the biorefining done in the biological plant
  rather than the industrial plant.

http//www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/other_platform
s.html
52
Biomass Economics
53
Economic Issues

• Sustainable Development
• Move toward sustainable energy production
• Energy Security
• Reduce dependence on imported oil
• Rural Economic Growth
• Provide new crops/markets for rural business
• Land Use
• Better balance of land use

http//www.eere.energy.gov/RE/bio_integrated.html
54
Landfill Gas Costs
Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press
(2004)
55
Switchgrass Econ
Tons Per Acre Total Variable Cost Per Acre Total Fixed Cost Per Acre Total Cost Per Acre Ethanol Min Price per Gallon
2 131.00 66.50 197.50 2.47
3 87.33 44.33 131.67 1.65
4 65.50 33.25 98.75 1.23
5 52.40 26.60 79.00 0.99
6 43.67 22.17 65.83 0.82
7 37.43 19.00 56.43 0.71
8 32.75 16.63 49.38 0.62
9 29.11 14.78 43.89 0.55
10 26.20 13.30 39.50 0.49
http//www.agecon.uga.edu/caed/Pubs/switchgrass.h
tml
56
Energy Crop Potential
Michael Totten, Conservation International,
January 27, 2006
57
Environmental Impacts
58
Environmental Issues

• Air Quality
• Reduce NOx and SO2 emissions
• Global Climate Change
• Low/no net increase in CO2
• Soil Conservation
• Soil erosion control, nutrient retention, carbon
  sequestration, and stabilization of riverbanks.
• Water Conservation
• Better retention of water in watersheds
• Biodiversity and Habitat
• Positive and negative changes

http//www.eere.energy.gov/RE/bio_integrated.html
59
Heat and CO2 Content
Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press
(2004)
60
Net Life Cycle Emissions
Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press
(2004)
61
Crop Erosion Rates
SRWC Short Rotation Woody Crops
Michael Totten, Conservation International,
January 27, 2006
62
Biocide Requirements
Short RotationWoody Crops
Michael Totten, Conservation International,
January 27, 2006
63
Promise of Bioenergy
64
Biomass Infrastructure

• Biomass Production Improvements
• Genetics, breeding, remote sensing, GIS, analytic
  and evaluation techniques
• Biomass Material Handling
• Storage, handling, conveying, size reduction,
  cleaning, drying, feeding systems, systems
• Biomass Logistics and Infrastructure
• Harvesting, collecting, storing, transporting,
  other biomass supply chain elements

http//www.eere.energy.gov/RE/bio_resources.html
65
Benefits of Bioenergy
Multiple benefits would accrue

• Rural American farmers producing these fuel crops
  would see 5 billion of increased profits per
  year.
• Consumers would see future pump savings of 20
  billion per year on fuel costs.
• Society would see CO2 emissions reduced by 6.2
  billion tons per year, equal to 80 of U.S.
  transportation-related CO2 emissions in 2002.

www.bioproducts-bioenergy.gov/pdfs/NRDC-Growing-En
ergy-Final.3.pdf.
66
Growing US Energy

• 2004 assessment by the National Energy Commission
  concluded that a vigorous effort in the USA to
  develop cellulosic biofuels between now and 2015
  could
• Produce the first billion gallons at costs
  approaching those of gasoline and diesel.
• Establish the capacity to produce biofuels at
  very competitive pump prices equivalent to
  roughly 8 million barrels of oil per day (122
  billion gallons per year) by 2025.

Nathaniel Greene et al., Growing Energy,
www.bioproducts-bioenergy.gov/pdfs/NRDC-Growing-En
ergy-Final.3.pdf.
67
US Grows its Gas
TODAY BUSINESS AS USUAL
NEXT DECADE FUTURE
30 million hectares soy
30 million hectares switchgrass
Switchgrass 1 to 3x protein productivity 5 to
10 x mass productivity of soybeans
http//thayer.dartmouth.edu/thayer/rbaef/.
68
Fuel Efficiency vs. Land
69
Bioenergy Forecasts
Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press
(2004)
70
One Scenario
Biomass
Semi-Efficient, Ambitious Renewable Energy
Scenario
Michael Totten, Conservation International,
January 27, 2006
71
Ethanol Production
72
Ethanol Yields
Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press
(2004)
73
Ethanol Production Plant
http//www.nrel.gov/biomass/photos.html
74
(No Transcript)
75
Ethanol Production

• Corn kernels are ground in a hammermill to expose
  the starch           
• The ground grain is mixed with water, cooked
  briefly and enzymes are added to convert the
  starch to sugar using a chemical reaction called
  hydrolysis.           
• Yeast is added to ferment the sugars to
  ethanol.            
• The ethanol is separated from the mixture by
  distillation and the water is removed from the
  mixture using dehydration

76
Ethanol Production

• Energy content about 2/3 of gasoline
• So E10 (10 ethanol, 90 gasoline) will cause
  your gas mileage to decrease 3-4  
• Takes energy to create ethanol from starchy
  sugars         
• Positive net energy balance
• Energy output/input 1.67           

77
In comparison, US consumed an 140,000 million
gallons of gasoline in 2004
78
US Ethanol Facilities
79
Ethanol by State
80
Ethanol Fuel Use 2003
81
Ethanol Use by Market
Federal Reformulated Gasoline Required year
round in high pollution metro areas e.g. L.A.,
San Diego, Dallas, Houston, Washington,
D.C. Federal Winter Oxygenated Fuels Required
during winter in selected high pollution metro
areas e.g. Denver, Phoenix, Las Vegas
82
MTBE

• MTBE (methyl tertiary-butyl ether)
• A chemical compound that is manufactured by the
  chemical reaction of methanol and isobutylene
• Used almost exclusively a fuel additive in
  gasoline
• It is one of a group of chemicals commonly known
  as "oxygenates" because they raise the oxygen
  content of gasoline.
• At room temperature, MTBE is a volatile,
  flammable and colorless liquid that dissolves
  rather easily in water.

Source EPA (http//www.epa.gov/mtbe/gas.htm)
83
MTBE

• Oxygen helps gasoline burn more completely,
  reducing tailpipe emissions from motor vehicles
• Oxygen dilutes or displaces gasoline components
  such as aromatics (e.g., benzene) and sulfur
• Oxygen optimizes the oxidation during combustion.
  
• Most refiners have chosen to use MTBE over other
  oxygenates primarily for its blending
  characteristics and for economic reasons

Source EPA (http//www.epa.gov/mtbe/gas.htm)
84
MTBE and The Clean Air Act

• The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (CAA)
  require the use of oxygenated gasoline in areas
  with unhealthy levels of air pollution
• The CAA does not specifically require MTBE.
  Refiners may choose to use other oxygenates, such
  as ethanol
• Winter Oxyfuel Program Originally implemented in
  1992, the CAA requires oxygenated fuel during the
  cold months in cities that have elevated levels
  of carbon monoxide
• Year-round Reformulated Gasoline Program Since
  1995, the CAA requires reformulated gasoline
  (RFG) year-round in cities with the worst
  ground-level ozone (smog).

Source EPA (http//www.epa.gov/mtbe/gas.htm)
85
MTBE and Groundwater Pollution

• MTBE has the potential to occur in high
  concentrations in groundwater
• Some MTBE has appeared in drinking water wells
  throughout the U.S
• Highly water soluble
• Not easily absorbed into soil
• Resists biodegradation
• Travels far from leak sources,
• Hazard on a regional scale.
• Some states are banning MTBE

Source Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
(http//www.llnl.gov/str/Happel.html)
86
State MTBE Bans
87
Corn Use for Ethanol
88
Corn Use by Segment
89
Sorghum Use by Segment
90
Energy Policy Act of 2005

• Small Producer Biodiesel and Ethanol Credit
• 10 cent per gallon tax credit
• Up to 15 million gallons annually per producer
• Expires year end 2008
• Fueling stations
• 30 credit for cost of installing clean-fuel
  vehicle refueling equipment
• 30,000 maximum
• e.g. E85
• 85 Ethanol, 15 gasoline
• GM pushing their E85 vehicles as an alternative
  to hybrids
• Seven SUV/Trucks, two sedans

91
Energy Policy Act of 2005

• The Renewable Fuel Standard
• Requires use of 7.5 billion gallons of biofuels
  by 2012
• includes ethanol and biodiesel
• Up from 3.4 billion gallons in 2004
• All refiners required to abide by targets
• Credit trading mechanism in place
• For example, refiners in states with little or no
  ethanol production may buy credits from refiners
  in states with excess production
• Increased costs across the nation
• Decrease oil imports by 2.1

92
Cellulosic Ethanol

• Ethanol produced from agricultural residues,
  woody biomass, fibers, municipal solid waste,
  switchgrass
• Process converts lignocellulosic feedstock (LCF)
  into component sugars, which are then fermented
  to ethanol

Source American Coalition for Ethanol
(http//www.ethanol.org/documents/ACERFSSummary.pd
f)
93
Cellulosic EthanolEnergy Policy Act of 2005

• Minimum 250 million gallons/year by 2012
• Incentive grants for facility construction
• 2006 500 million
• 2007 800 million
• 2008 400 million
• Other research grants/production incentives
• 2006 2010 485 million

Source American Coalition for Ethanol
(http//www.ethanol.org/documents/ACERFSSummary.pd
f)
94
EthanolEnergy Policy Act of 2005

• President Bush
• Reduce our addition to oil
• Replace 75 of U.S. oil imports from the Middle
  East by 2025
• But thats just 4.3 million barrels/day
• Total consumption of 26.1 million barrels/day

Source American Coalition for Ethanol
(http//www.ethanol.org/documents/ACERFSSummary.pd
f)
95
U.S. Petroleum Supply
MMBPD Source Department of Energy/Energy
Information Agency
96
EthanolEnergy Policy Act of 2005

• Brazil produces ethanol at 25/oil equivalent
  barrel
• Adjusted price taking into account energy
  differences between ethanol and oil
• Compare 25/barrel to current oil price of
  60/barrel
• Largest commercial application of biomass energy
  in the world
• Sugar cane used a feedstock
• Domestic automakers building flex-fuel vehicles

Source Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
97
Promoting Bioenergy

• Why not import ethanol from Brazil?
• The U.S. imposes a 22/barrel import tariff on
  Brazilian ethanol
• So, are the ethanol subsidies in the EPAct05 just
  a payoff to the agricultural lobby?
• Or, are we attempting to build a domestic ethanol
  industry by subsidizing its early efforts?
• How best to promote bioenergy?

Source American Coalition for Ethanol
(http//www.ethanol.org/documents/ACERFSSummary.pd
f)
98
Midterm Review

• Next Week

99
Extra Slides
100
Biomass Basics
http//www.eere.energy.gov/RE/bio_basics.html
101
BioPower Electricity

• Direct Combustion
• Burn biomass to create steam
• Co-Firing
• Mix biomass with coal in coal plants
• Economically attractive
• Gasification
• Pyrolysis
• Anaerobic Digestion

http//www.eere.energy.gov/RE/bio_biopower.html
102
Integrated Systems
http//www.eere.energy.gov/RE/bio_integrated.html
103
Biomass Resources

• Herbaceous Energy Crops
• Woody Energy Crops
• Industrial Crops
• Agricultural Crops
• Aquatic Crops
• Agricultural Crop Residues
• Forestry Residues
• Municipal Waste
• Animal Waste

http//www.eere.energy.gov/RE/bio_resources.html
104
Sugar Platform

• Most plant material consists of cellulose
• Not starch and starch and sugar
• Need to break cellulose into its sugars
• Research underway to make economical

http//www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/sugar_platform
.html
105
Biorefinery Platforms
http//www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/
106
Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press
(2004)
107
Average UK Fuel Prices
Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press
(2004)
108
Energy Crop Yields
Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press
(2004)
109
Biodiversity friendly Bioenergy?
Perennial prairie grasses
110
(No Transcript)
111
Other Platforms

• Biogas Platform
• Carbon-Rich Chains Platform
• Plant Products Platform
• Selective breeding and genetic engineering
• develop plant strains that produce greater
  amounts of desirable feedstocks or chemicals
• even compounds that the plant does not naturally
  produce
• getting the biorefining done in the biological
  plant rather than the industrial plant.

http//www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/other_platform
s.html
112
Direct Hydrothermal Liquifaction
113
Thermochemical RD
114
Simple vs. CCGT Plant
Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press
(2004)
115
Carbon/Solar Cycle