Biomass Energy

Professor Stephen Lawrence

Leeds School of Business University of Colorado Boulder
1

Biomass Agenda
Bioenergy Overview Biomass Resources Creating Energy from Biomass Biomass Economics Biomass Environmental Issues Promise of Bioenergy Ethanol Production
2

BioEnergy Overview

Global Energy Sources 2002

4 Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press (2004)

Renewable Energy Use 2001

5 Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press (2004)

Bioenergy Cycle

6 http://www.repp.org/bioenergy/bioenergy-cycle-med2.jpg

Bioenergy Cycle

7 Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press (2004)

Carbon Cycle

8 Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press (2004)

Commercial Carbon Cycle

US Energy Cropland

10 http://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/energy/renewable/map_bioenergy_image.html

US Biomass Resources

11

Biomass Resource Potential

12 http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/solar.renewables/page/biomass/biomass.gif

Biomass Basic Data

13 Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press (2004)

Solar Energy Conversion

1 hectare = ~2.5 acres

Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press (2004)

14

Boiling 1l of Water

15 Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press (2004)

Biomass Energy Production

Sector/Source
Total

2000
2,907

2001
2,640

2002
2,648

2003
2,740

2004P
2,845

Wood Energy Total

Residential Commercial Industrial Electric Powera

2,257
433 53 1,636 134

1,980
370 40 1,443 126

1,899
313 39 1,396 150

1,929
359 40 1,363 167

1,989
332 41 1,448 168

Waste Energy Total

MSW/Landfill Gas Commercial Industrial Electric Powera Other Biomassb Commercial Industrial Electric Powera Alcohol Fuelsc Transportation

511
400 41 64 295 111 6 81 23 139 139

514
419 35 74 310 95 4 76 14 147 147

576
467 37 87 343 108 5 81 22 174 174

571
440 42 85 314 131 6 85 41 239 239

560
443 43 88 312 117 5 84 28 296 296
16

http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/solar.renewables/page/biomass/biomass.html

Bioenergy Technologies

17 Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press (2004)

Biomass Resources

18

Types of Biomass

19

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

20

Corn

21 http://www.geo.msu.edu/geo333/corn.html

Soybeans

22 http://agproducts.unl.edu/

Sorghum

23 http://www.okfarmbureau.org/press_pass/galleries/grainSorghum/

Sugar Cane Bagasse

24 http://www.nrel.gov/biomass/photos.html

Switchgrass

25 http://www.nrel.gov/biomass/photos.html

Hybrid Poplar

26 http://www.nrel.gov/biomass/photos.html

Corn Stover

27 http://www.nrel.gov/biomass/photos.html

Wood Chips & Sawdust

28 http://www.nrel.gov/biomass/photos.html http://www.energytrust.org/RR/bio/

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

29

Municipal Solid Waste

30 http://www.eeingeorgia.org/eic/images/landfill.jpg

Creating Energy from Biomass

31

Bioenergy Conversion

32 Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press (2004)

Biomass Direct Combustion

33 Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press (2004)

Heat Energy Content

34 Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press (2004)

MSW Power Plant

35 Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press (2004)

Composition of MSW

36 Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press (2004)

Integrated Waste Plant

37 Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press (2004)

EU MSW Incineration

38 Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press (2004)

Landfill Gasses

39 Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press (2004)

Biorefinery

40 http://www.nrel.gov/biomass/biorefinery.html

Sugar Platform
1. Convert biomass to sugar or other fermentation feedstock 2. Ferment biomass intermediates using biocatalysts
Microorganisms including yeast and bacteria;

3. Process fermentation product

Yield fuel-grade ethanol and other fuels, chemicals, heat and/or electricity
41 http://www.nrel.gov/biomass/proj_biochemical_conversion.html

Thermochemical Platform

Direct Combustion Gasification Pyrolysis

42 http://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/thermochemical_platform.html

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

43

Biomass Gasifier
200 tons of wood chips daily Forest thinnings; wood pallets Converted to gas at ~1850 F Combined cycle gas turbine 8MW power output

McNeil Generating Station biomass gasifier 8MW

44

http://www.nrel.gov/biomass/photos.html

Pyrolysis
Heat bio-material under pressure
500-1300 C (900-2400 F) 50-150 atmospheres Carefully controlled air supply

Up to 75% of biomass converted to liquid Tested for use in engines, turbines, boilers Currently experimental

45 http://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/pyrolysis.html

Pyrolysis Schmatic

46 http://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/pyrolysis.html

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

47 http://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/other_platforms.html

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.

48

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/other_platforms.html

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
49 http://www.eere.energy.gov/RE/bio_fuels.html

Biodiesel Bus

50 http://www.nrel.gov/biomass/photos.html

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.
51 http://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/other_platforms.html

Biomass Economics
52

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
53

http://www.eere.energy.gov/RE/bio_integrated.html

Landfill Gas Costs

54 Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press (2004)

Switchgrass Econ
Total Variable Cost Per Acre $131.00 $87.33 $65.50 Total Fixed Cost Per Acre $66.50 $44.33 $33.25 Ethanol Min Total Cost Price per Per Acre Gallon $197.50 $131.67 $98.75 $2.47 $1.65 $1.23

Tons Per Acre

2 3 4

5
6 7 8

$52.40
$43.67 $37.43 $32.75

$26.60
$22.17 $19.00 $16.63

$79.00
$65.83 $56.43 $49.38

$0.99
$0.82 $0.71 $0.62

9
10

$29.11
$26.20

$14.78
$13.30

$43.89
$39.50

$0.55
55 $0.49

http://www.agecon.uga.edu/~caed/Pubs/switchgrass.html

Energy Crop Potential

56 Michael Totten, Conservation International, January 27, 2006

Environmental Impacts
57

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 58

Heat and CO2 Content

59 Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press (2004)

Net Life Cycle Emissions

60 Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press (2004)

Crop Erosion Rates

SRWC = Short Rotation Woody Crops

61 Michael Totten, Conservation International, January 27, 2006

Biocide Requirements

Short Rotation Woody Crops

Michael Totten, Conservation International, January 27, 2006

62

Promise of Bioenergy
63

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
64 http://www.eere.energy.gov/RE/bio_resources.html

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.
65 www.bioproducts-bioenergy.gov/pdfs/NRDC-Growing-Energy-Final.3.pdf.

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.
66 Nathaniel Greene et al., Growing Energy, www.bioproducts-bioenergy.gov/pdfs/NRDC-Growing-Energy-Final.3.pdf.

US Grows its Gas

TODAY & BUSINESS AS USUAL 30 million hectares soy NEXT DECADE & FUTURE 30 million hectares switchgrass

Switchgrass 1 to 3x protein productivity + 5 to 10 x mass productivity of soybeans

animal protein feed

oils

animal protein feed

oils

Cellulose hydrolyzed into 30 billion gallons ethanol

67

http://thayer.dartmouth.edu/thayer/rbaef/.

Fuel Efficiency vs. Land

68

Bioenergy Forecasts

69 Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press (2004)

One Scenario

Semi-Efficient, Ambitious Renewable Energy Scenario

Michael Totten, Conservation International, January 27, 2006

70

Ethanol Production

71

Ethanol Yields

72 Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press (2004)

Ethanol Production Plant

73 http://www.nrel.gov/biomass/photos.html

74

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

75

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

76

In comparison, US consumed an 140,000 million gallons of gasoline in 2004

77

US Ethanol Facilities

78

Ethanol by State

79

Ethanol Fuel Use 2003

80

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

81

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)

82

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)
83

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).
84

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

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)
85

State MTBE Bans

86

Corn Use for Ethanol

87

Corn Use by Segment

88

Sorghum Use by Segment

89

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

90

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%

91

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

92 Source: American Coalition for Ethanol (http://www.ethanol.org/documents/ACERFSSummary.pdf)

Cellulosic Ethanol Energy 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
93 Source: American Coalition for Ethanol (http://www.ethanol.org/documents/ACERFSSummary.pdf)

Ethanol Energy 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

94 Source: American Coalition for Ethanol (http://www.ethanol.org/documents/ACERFSSummary.pdf)

U.S. Petroleum Supply

2.6

2004

3.3

8.6

Domestic Oil Domestic Ethanol Western Hemisphere Europe/Africa Persian Gulf

6.2

1.8

2025
5.8 5.1
Domestic Oil Domestic Ethanol Western Hemisphere Europe/Africa Persian Gulf
95

3.2

5.3

6.7
MMBPD Source: Department of Energy/Energy Information Agency

Ethanol Energy 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

96

Source: Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

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?

97

Source: American Coalition for Ethanol (http://www.ethanol.org/documents/ACERFSSummary.pdf)

Next Week:

Midterm Review

98

Extra Slides

99

Biomass Basics

100 http://www.eere.energy.gov/RE/bio_basics.html

BioPower Electricity
Direct Combustion
Burn biomass to create steam

Co-Firing
Mix biomass with coal in coal plants Economically attractive

Gasification Pyrolysis Anaerobic Digestion

101 http://www.eere.energy.gov/RE/bio_biopower.html

Integrated Systems

102 http://www.eere.energy.gov/RE/bio_integrated.html

Biomass Resources
Herbaceous Energy Crops Woody Energy Crops Industrial Crops Agricultural Crops Aquatic Crops Agricultural Crop Residues Forestry Residues Municipal Waste Animal Waste
103 http://www.eere.energy.gov/RE/bio_resources.html

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

104 http://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/sugar_platform.html

Biorefinery Platforms

105 http://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/

106 Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press (2004)

Average UK Fuel Prices

107 Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press (2004)

Energy Crop Yields

108 Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press (2004)

Biodiversity friendly Bioenergy?

Perennial prairie grasses

109

110

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.
111 http://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/other_platforms.html

Direct Hydrothermal Liquifaction

112

Thermochemical R&D

113

Simple vs. CCGT Plant

114 Boyle, Renewable Energy, Oxford University Press (2004)

Carbon/Solar Cycle

115