Post on 02-Apr-2015
Biomass & BioenergyPotential and Technology
Claus Felby, Forest & Landscape, University of Copenhagen
Forestry and agriculture converts solar energy, water and CO2 to biomass
Bioenergy
Energy consumption and reserves 2005 –Gton oil Equivalent
Consumpt.per year
Reserves Years left
Natural gas 2.5 162 65
Oil 3.8 156 41
Coal 2.9 454 155
Σ Fossil 9.2 772 84
Biomass 0.96 56/year 10E9?
Terrestial biomass potential 2.5-11
Full speed ahead on bioenergy industry and technology!
•Biogas has been running for more than 20 years
•Biodiesel is an established industry
•1st generation bioethanol is an established industry
•2nd generation bioethanol in commercial scale within 5 years
•New technologies for 3 gen. on the shelf
But without biomass no bioenergy!
’Green’ Reaction to biofuels
Biofuels 'crime against humanity‘UN report
For environmental groups like Friends of the Earth, it's a ‘no brainer’.
BUT, -there are many ways of making biofuels!
The basic limitation is the available land area
Forest; 4
Forest lands; 1,4P asture; 4,6
Crops; 1,5
Waste land; 0,5Bioenergy; 0,01
Forest; 4
Forest lands; 1,4Pasture; 4,5
Crops; 1,45
Waste land; 0,5
Bioenergy; 0,15
Humans
Energy Livestock
Ecosystem
2008
2020
Area in Gha
Bioenergy carriers: Solid, liquid and gas
Solid fuels for heat & power
Liquid fuels for transportation
Gaseous fuels for transportation andheat & power
The biosphere is made from sugarThe biosphere is made from sugar
•Plants store solar energy as sugar
•75% of plants are sugar
•The sugars in plants are mainly found as polymers. To convert sugar we need monomers
•Two types of sugars:
•Nutritional sugars –starch and succrose
•Constructional sugars –cellulose and hemicellulose
The use of bioenergy
1 ton of biomass
Solid fuels Overall efficiency 65%
Net area use 1
BioethanolOverall efficiency 60-65%
Net area use 0.2-0.7
BTL Overall efficiency 45-65%
Net area use 1
• Heat & power
• CO2
• Ethanol• Feed• Heat &
power
• CO2
• Diesel• Heat &
power
• CO2
BiogasOverall efficiency 50-75%
Net area use 1
• Methane• Heat &
power
• CO2
What about plant oils for What about plant oils for biodiesel?biodiesel?
•Easy to make (pressing)•100% compatible with existing engines•Can be used in existing infrastructures•Less harmfull particles compared to fossil diesel•But only 900 l/ha and 4 year rotation•Poor land use!
Integration of conversion technologies
BiogasConverts 40-80% of the biomass
Solid biofuelConverts 100% of the biomass
BioethanolConverts 70-80% of the biomass
Feed
Bioenergy technology development
Land area needed to supply the danish transport sector(figures not corrected for feed production)
0
2
4
6
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Biodiesel 1 G wheat 2 G wheat 2 G grass 3 G algea
Technology
Mill
ha
Danish agricultural area
CO2 ranking
- +No reductionof greenhouse gases
Large reductionof greenhouse gases
Palmoilbiodiesel
Rape seedbiodiesel
Cornbioethanol
Wheatbioethanol
Straw bioethanol
Biomass for heat & power
Bioenergy from algea
New Energy carriers
Animal fatbiodiesel
2 G sugarcanebioethanol
1 G Sugarcanebioethanol
Biogas
Why biofuels? Is it more efficient to produce heat and power?
•Difference between technical or economical efficency.
•Need for a balance between energy and food –we can’t just burn it all
•1 billion cars! A 747 on steam and batteries?
•Alternatives to biomass for heat & power: Wind, waves, nuclear, hydro etc.
•We need the technology behind liquid fuels
•The optimal situation is a mix of solid and liquid biofuels
6 to do’s in order to reach the land of milk, honey and bioenergy
1. High yield agricultural systems2. Efficient conversion
technologies3. Technologies should conserve
protein4. Sustainable production by
perennial crops5. Mantain or increase soil carbon
levels 6. Find the balance between
humans, energy and livestock
There is no silver bullet technology
We need:Wind mills, fuel cells, bio-hydrogen, wave power, liguid biofuels, hydro power, geothermal power, nuclear fussion and fission, solar photovoltaic cells, solar heat collectors, biomass from forests & fields, algae farms etc.....
The food and energy fields of the future: KU´s experimental farm in Tåstrup
In 2050; 50% more people and 100% more cars
=?
Your harvest depends on your seed!
Some plants are better solar collectors!
0
2
4
6
8
Sugar cane Sugar beet Potatoes Wheat Corn
% s
ola
r co
nve
rsio
n
C4
C3
The energy field 2015 -Ethanol, heat, electricity and feed
Reduced leaching higher biodiversity!
Willow for heat andpower on 10% of the area
Balanced feed production both energy- and protein feed
Perennial grass for silage6-7000 t ethanol pr. ha
To supply the danish transport sector we need 0,9 mill ha
Sugar technology for bioethanol
Two roads to bioethanol: 1st og 2nd generation
1 generation : Just kernels and sugar
2 generation: The whole plant
2 gen.
1 gen.
Basic Ethanol ProcesBasic Ethanol Proces
Pretreatment (release of sugars)
Hydrolysis(breakdown to fermentable sugars)
Fermentation
Destillation
Ethanol
CO2
Feed (VinasseDistillers grain)
Enzymer
Feed molasses
The IBUS Concept ––Energy systems integrationEnergy systems integration
High quality solid biofuel
Surplus steam
StrawGrainWholecropMolasseBagasseSugar caneHousehold waste
CO2 reduction in the transport sector 170%
Bioethanol: What do you get from 1 ha?Multiple use
2. Generation1 ha landbrugsjord med
foderhvede kan producere
3500 Feeed units
1,9 tons of ”coal”
3600 kg Ethanol
To supply the danish transport sector we need 1,6 mill ha
1. Generation1 ha landbrugsjord med
foderhvede kan producere
7,5 tons of ”coal”
Bioethanol: What do you get from 1 ha?Single use
Biodiesel from vegetable oils
Biodiesel: What do you get from 1 ha?
Biodiesel1 ha landbrugsjord med raps
kan producere
2800 Feed units
2,4 tons of ”coal”
900 kg Diesel
To supply the danish transport sector we need 13 mill ha
Possibilities?
How far can agriculture and technology lead us?
Year 2032:•40-50% of out transport fuels from
biomass•Balanced production of food, feed and
energy•Improved energy efficiency in all
sectors
Bioenergy yes or no?
Sustainability: Intensive or extensive agriculture for energy production?
•Should we reduce the use of nitrogen fertilizers?
•The largest amount of energy is used for conversion, not agriculture
•The technologies are under contineous development
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20
40
60
80
100
120
Fertilizers Energy in Energy out
2 gen. bioethanol output energi, sammen-holdt med energiforbrug til gødning (hvede)
Do we have enough space for bioenergy?
Energy ratios – animals or energy?
.
1 gen. ethanol
CHP wheat
2 gen. ethanol
.
.
.
70% of our agriculture is used to feed animals
CHP wood
Food of the Western world
Conclusions
•We need biomass for energy, materials and chemicals
•Delicate balance between humans, animals and energy
•20% or more of our energy supply will come from biomass
•Avoid oil crops for biodiesel
•Large advantages for environment, climate, biodiversity and economy if we choose the right technology
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Rape Wheat Grass
ha
E6