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Renewable Energy System : Biomass. Final Project. Iberian Partnership for Technician Excellence, Summer 2012. Introduction. What is Biomass? Biological material derived from living, or recently living organisms Most often plant matter. History.
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Renewable Energy System: Biomass Final Project Iberian Partnership for Technician Excellence, Summer 2012
Introduction What is Biomass? • Biological material derived from living, or recently living organisms • Most often plant matter
History • Prior to the industrial revolution, biomass satisfied nearly all of man's energy demands • Up until the 1860s, the United States used biomass for nearly 91% of all energy consumption • 14% of the world still utilizes Biomass energy
System Types • Many different biomass systems • Most common residential application is direct combustion system • Direct combustion systems include: • Fireplaces • Heating Stoves • Air and Air Duct pellet stoves • Water Boilers
Example System- FL Biomass Heating system • 3 Bed/ 2 Bath • 1 floor • 610 m² / 2000 ft² • 4 persons • Location: Tampa, FL System Design • Air duct circulation heating using a residential stove powered by pellets
Components Ducted Air Stove • Ecoforest Suez 16kw Air duct stove Pellet Storage • Ecoforest 300l Hopper w/ auger , 2m Automatic feeding • Ecoforest Automatic feeding system (315W - 375W) Temp Control • Automatic Wireless Thermostat Ventilation Motor • Ecoforest 300 motor, 50W Hot Air Ducts • Ecoforest ducts, 102mm, 10m Chimney • Chimney Parts, ducting 80mm dia.
Efficiency • Wood pellets have a heat conversion efficiency closer to fossil fuels and natural gas with much less emissions and pollution • It is a cheaper energy with a more stable price • Wood pellet heating units typically operate in 90% efficiency range
Cost Comparison Total Heating Electrical consumption @ 50w/m² for 500m² annually (heating 4hrs/day- 4mos/year) = 12,000kwh/ year Cost of Electricity @ 0.05¢/kwh = $600/ year (FL) @ 0.19€/kwh = 2280€/ year (Spain) Cost of Biomass @ 0.07¢/kwh = $840/ year (Spain)
Example System- Northern U.S. • Biomass energy is thriving in the Northeastern United States • Most commonly utilized system is with a pellet or log boiler
Cooling with Biomass • Rotartica Absorption Chiller • Uses heat instead of electricity to cool air • Currently prohibitivly expensive, but promising for the future of biomass cooling
Stirling Motors • Stirling motor- A heat engine operating by cyclic compression and expansion of air or other gas at different temperature levels • Converts heat to mechanical work
Why Biomass? • Biomass is a renewable, low carbon fuel that is already widely available throughout the US and World. • Its production and use brings additional social benefits, such as industrial and agricultural growth • Correctly managed, biomass is a sustainable fuel that can deliver a significant reduction in net carbon emissions when compared with fossil fuels
Environmental Impact • Biomass is a renewable energy with CO2 neutral cycle • Reduced sulfur emissions and pollutants • With proper harvest techniques and management biomass is environmentally sustainable Biomass energy use helps to: • Reuse and recycle the maximum amount of waste and by-products • Recover energy efficiently • Promote self-sufficiency
Opportunities Growth in the United States • Currently the U.S. leads the world in biomass power capacity • The North American wood pellet industry has become a major supplier to the EU • This growing demand creates a unique market for exporting renewable resources
Opportunities Industry Growth • New Biomass power plants being constructed and planned • New manufacturers of stoves and boilers to cater to the growing US and EU markets • More pellet manufacturing companies • Job creation
Opportunities Agricultural Growth • A unique niche for local farmers in rural areas • Increased local energy production/ increased local energy efficiency
Conclusion • Biomass is an efficient, sustainable energy source • Now a cheaper source of Energy • Properly managed, biomass energy can be indefinitely • Encourages local power model • Advancements will allow for even cheaper and wider applications in the future