AASHE 2011 Conference & Expo Creating Sustainable Campuses & Communities

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1 An Overview of Biomass Energy Technologies for Campuses AASHE 2011 Conference & Expo Creating Sustainable Campuses & Communities Pittsburgh, PA Kamalesh Doshi, Senior Program Director Biomass Energy Resource Center October 9-12, 2011

2 Biomass Energy Resource Center (BERC) Founded in 2001, BERC is a national not-for-profit organization working to promote responsible use of biomass for energy. BERC s mission is to achieve a healthier environment, strengthen local economies, and increase energy security across the United States by developing sustainable biomass systems at the community scale. BERC partners include communities, colleges and universities, local state and federal governments, businesses, utilities, schools, institutions, other conservation and energy nonprofits, energy offices, and federal organizations.

3 Biomass Feedstocks Forest Residues Agricultural Residues Energy Crops Timber harvesting Forest thinning Wood processing Farms (corn stover) Agricultural processing (sugarcane bagasse) Hybrid poplar Switchgrass Willow Other biomass feedstocks: urban waste, animal manure, waste vegetable oils, etc.

4 Universe of Technology Options for Biomass Energy BIOMASS FEEDSTOCKS TECHNOLOGY PATHWAYS INTERMITTENT PRODUCT USES OF ENERGY Forest Residues Thermal Thermal Heating Combustion Steam Agriculture Gasification Hot Water Cooling Resources Pyrolysis Chilled Water Energy Crops Municipal Waste Animal Manure Steam Reforming Organic Ranking Cycle Torrefaction Biological Anaerobic Digestion Fermentation Hot Combustion gases Liquid Bio-oil Bio-diesel Cellulosic Ethanol Gas Lighting Motive Power Transportation Physio-chemical Hydrolysis Syn. Gas Biogas Transesterification Electricity Hydrogen

5 Bioenergy Technology Pathways Thermal Biological Chemical No Air Hydrolysis Pyrolysis Partial Air Gasification Anaerobic Digestion Steam Reforming Transesterification Excess Air Combustion Fermentation

6 Universe of Technology Options for Biomass Energy BIOMASS FEEDSTOCKS FEEDSTOCK STORAGE FEEDSTOCK HANDLING HEAT DISTRIBUTION Woodchips (hardwood, softwood, bole, whole-tree chips) Pellets (Grass, sawdust, agricultural residues) Below-grade bin Above-grade (on slab storage) Silo (inside, under a roof, or outside) Fully -automated Semi -automated Manual Hot water Steam Hot air Cordwood Agricultural crops (corn)

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9 Low-Cost Semi-Automated Systems On-slab fuel storage Fuel moved with small loader Day bin and small combustor

10 Low-Cost Hand-Fired Systems GARN Boiler

11 Wood Pellet Boiler Systems 10,000 to 50,000 SF Oil, propane, or electric Natural gas only if price is above-average Centralized heat distribution system

12 CHP Technology Description Recommended for systems with a year-round heat load. Steam CHP Biomass Gas Turbine Gasifier Organic Rankine Cycle System Has highest efficiency when sized to meet the thermal load.

13 Combined Heat and Power Steam Cogeneration Technology TurboSteam Corp

14 Bioenergy Technology Pathways Combustion Steam Hot Gas Gasification Synthesis Gas Steam Turbine (>1 MW) Gas Turbine (>0.5 MW) Internal Combustion Engine (Up to 0.5 MW) Favorable economics Still in developmental stages Gas Turbine (>5 MW) Lower efficiencies Greater air emissions

15 Combined Heat and Power Organic Rankine Cycle

16 Pyrolysis Source: DynaMotive Energy Systems Corp., CA

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18 Torrefaction Process: Thermally treating biomass at C in non-oxidizing environment Torrefied wood: Equilibrium MC of 3%, Reduction of mass by 20-30% While retaining 80-90% of the original wood energy content Advantages: Consistent & uniform feedstock with heating value of kilojoules/metric ton Takes up less space & Cheaper to transport Resists water, can be stored without cover Extremely stable Grindability improves, can be co-fired with coal easily Less slagging and less smoke from combustion Thermal efficiency of torrefaction process is 96%. Challenges: To find & develop viable fuel markets

19 Best-in-Class District Heating Concept

20 Thermal Storage System

21 Emissions Control Equipment Recommendations While vastly more efficient than a typical wood stove, biomass boilers do have higher particulate matter emissions than oil or natural gas. Electrostatic Precipitator - Most efficient in collecting large particles, most expensive, not always readily available Cyclone - Efficient in collecting large particles Baghouse - Can have particulate control efficiencies of 99% Properly Sited Stack - Height dependent upon local air standards and proximity to nearby buildings

22 Electrostatic Precipitator

23 Condenser

24 Case Studies Project Description Funding from the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities and the United States Department of Energy The series contains 53 case studies, best in class applications in the United States (25), Canada (8) and Europe (20) listed under the following categories: 1. Schools (10) 2. Community District Energy (13) 3. Campuses (5) 4. Businesses and Industries (9) 5. Community Buildings (5) 6. Housing (3) 7. Institutions (4) 8. Government Facilities (2) 9. Agricultural Facilities (2)

25 INSTITUTIONAL WOODCHIP HEATING SYSTEM South Dakota State Treatment and Rehabilitation Academy CUSTER, SOUTH DAKOTA, UNITED STATES Heating Capacity (output): 4 MW (13.4 MMBtu/hr) Emissions Reduction and Combustion Control Equipment: Multi-cyclone Year Installed: 2008 Thermal Output: Steam

26 Middlebury College s Biomass Heating and Cooling Plant Aims to Cut Carbon and Costs in Big Ways CAMPUS WOODCHIP HEATING SYSTEM Middlebury College MIDDLEBURY, VERMONT, UNITED STATES Heating Capacity (output): 8.8 MW (30 MMBtu/hr) Year Installed: 2008 Thermal Output: Steam

27 In Nebraska, Biomass System Models a Use for Forest Thinnings that Cut Fire Hazard CAMPUS WOODCHIP HEATING SYSTEM Chadron State College CHADRON, NEBRASKA, UNITED STATES Heating Capacity (output): 6 MW (20 MMBtu/hr) Annual Woodchip Use: 9,000 tons Emissions Reduction and Combustion Control Equipment: Cyclone, O 2 sensor control Year Installed: 1991 Thermal Output: Steam

28 INSTITUTIONAL WOODCHIP DISTRICT HEATING SYSTEM Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center GREENFIELD, NEW HAMPSHIRE, UNITED STATES Heating Capacity (output): One 1.2 MW (4 MMBtu/hr) boiler and one 2.3 MW 8 MMBtu/hr) boiler Emissions Reduction and Combustion Control Equipment: Baghouse, cyclone Year Installed: 2007 Annual Woodchip Use:2,500 green tons Thermal Output: Hot water for heating

29 On the Coast of Denmark, a Quietly High-Performing Woodchip Gasifier Is Producing District Heat and Power WOODCHIP DISTRICT CHP SYSTEM Vølund Gasifier Plant and Town of Harboøre JUTLAND, DENMARK Heating Capacity (output): 4 MW (14 MMBtu/hr) Electrical Capacity: 1.6 MW Emissions Reduction and Combustion Control Equipment: Electrostatic precipitator Year Installed: 2000 Thermal Output: Hot water District Heating Network Length: 10 km (6 miles) District Heating Customers: 900

30 Concluding Remarks It is technically feasible to use biomass for the production of all the materials that we currently produce from petroleum." Professor Robert C. Brown, Director of the Office of Biorenewable Programs Iowa State University

31 Conclusion What is the future role of wood energy in an oil and climate constrained world? Use Wood Not Too Much Mostly Thermal Kamalesh Doshi Program Director (802) ext. 126 Biomass Energy Resource Center 43 State Street, Montpelier, VT