Biomass to Energy in Biomass to Energy in GermanyGermany

Past – Present – FuturePast – Present – Futurean Overviewan Overview

Prof. Dr. Bernd StephanProf. Dr. Bernd Stephan

University of Applied ScienceUniversity of Applied Science

Bremerhaven, GermanyBremerhaven, Germany

Structure of Energy ConsumptionStructure of Energy ConsumptionWorld - EC25 – GermanyWorld - EC25 – Germany (IEA/BEE- (IEA/BEE-eV)eV)

WorldWorld EC25EC25 GermanyGermany

(2003)(2003) (2003)(2003)(2005)(2005)

(%)(%)

Natural GasNatural Gas 19.5219.52 28.828.8 32.132.1

NuclearNuclear 2.542.54 6.43 6.43 5.7 5.7

RenewablesRenewables 20.3420.34 8.57 8.57 6.4 6.4

CoalCoal 13.8613.86 9.05 9.05 18.118.1

Mineral oilMineral oil 43.7143.71 47.1547.15 37.737.7

Total (TWh/year)Total (TWh/year) 84 74484 744 1008010080 2 9362 936

Energy Consumption GermanyEnergy Consumption Germany2002 to 2005, BEE-eV2002 to 2005, BEE-eV

20022002 20042004 20052005

%%

Natural GasNatural Gas 21.721.7 22.422.4 32.132.1

NuclearNuclear 12.612.6 12.612.6 5.7 5.7

RenewablesRenewables 3.4 3.4 3.6 3.6 6.4 6.4

LigniteLignite 11.611.6 11.411.4 8.7 8.7

Mineral CoalMineral Coal 13.213.2 13.413.4 9.4 9.4

Mineral OilMineral Oil 37.537.5 36.436.4 37.7 37.7

Utilization of Renewables in Utilization of Renewables in Germany in 2004 (%)Germany in 2004 (%)

Biomass solidBiomass solid 44.144.1Biomass liquidBiomass liquid 0.1 0.1Biomass gaseousBiomass gaseous 6.3 6.3Solar thermalSolar thermal 1.8 1.8GeothermalGeothermal 1.1 1.1WasteWaste 6.4 6.4BiodieselBiodiesel 7.2 7.2Rape oil/ethanolRape oil/ethanol 0.4 0.4HydropowerHydropower 14.714.7Wind energyWind energy 17.517.5PhotovoltaicPhotovoltaic 0.3 0.3

Primary Energy for Generating Electricity in GermanyPrimary Energy for Generating Electricity in Germany

• LigniteLignite 27%27%

• Nuclear PowerNuclear Power 27%27%

• CoalCoal 24%24%

• RenewablesRenewables 12% 12% (including hydropower)(including hydropower)

• Natural gasNatural gas 9% 9%

• Fuel oilFuel oil 1% 1%

German Energy Imports 2005German Energy Imports 2005Source: IEA, Federal Office for Economy GermanySource: IEA, Federal Office for Economy Germany

Mineral oilMineral oil RussiaRussia 34.1%34.1%NorwayNorway 14.7%14.7%Great BritainGreat Britain 12.7%12.7%

Natural GasNatural Gas RussiaRussia 42.6%42.6%NorwayNorway 30.1%30.1%NetherlandsNetherlands 22.5% 22.5%

CoalCoal South AfricaSouth Africa 22.9%22.9%PolandPoland 22.0%22.0%RussiaRussia 15.7% 15.7%

What is meant by „Biomass“ ?What is meant by „Biomass“ ?

• Materials produced by metabolic activities of Materials produced by metabolic activities of biological systems and/or products of their biological systems and/or products of their decomposition or conversiondecomposition or conversion

• The materials are based on carbon compoundsThe materials are based on carbon compounds

• The chemical and energetic value of those The chemical and energetic value of those materials is based on the carbon-carbon and materials is based on the carbon-carbon and carbon-hydrogen bondcarbon-hydrogen bond

• Biomass suitable for utilization must have a net Biomass suitable for utilization must have a net heating valueheating value

• Biomass is collected and stored solar energyBiomass is collected and stored solar energy

Sources of BiomassSources of Biomass

• agricultureagriculture

• residues from forestry, specific industries (e.g. residues from forestry, specific industries (e.g. furniture production, saw dust), food processingfurniture production, saw dust), food processing

• solid municipal and industrial wastes solid municipal and industrial wastes

• used wood e.g. from old furniture, used timberused wood e.g. from old furniture, used timber

• marine systems: the oceans of our world contain marine systems: the oceans of our world contain much more biomass than existing on the much more biomass than existing on the continents (but they are not regarded as a source continents (but they are not regarded as a source of biomass for energetic utilization)of biomass for energetic utilization)

Biomass contributions to energy supply in Biomass contributions to energy supply in Germany: Germany: thermal energythermal energy

• WoodWood

• Wood residuesWood residues

• Municipal wasteMunicipal waste

• Sewage sludgeSewage sludge

• Agricultural wasteAgricultural waste

Biomass contributions to energy Biomass contributions to energy supply in Germany: supply in Germany: electrical energyelectrical energy

• WoodWood

• BiogasBiogas

• Waste incinerationWaste incineration

• Fermentation of sewage sludgeFermentation of sewage sludge

• Biogas from industrial waste waterBiogas from industrial waste water

Biomass ConversionBiomass Conversion

• Microbial treatmentMicrobial treatment

• Thermal treatmentThermal treatment

• Chemical treatmentChemical treatment

• CombinationsCombinations

• Mechanical processesMechanical processes

Microbial TreatmentMicrobial Treatment

• Long traditions in many cultures in the Long traditions in many cultures in the field of food processing e.g. beer brewing, field of food processing e.g. beer brewing, alcoholic fermentation, preservation alcoholic fermentation, preservation technologies as lactic acid fermentationtechnologies as lactic acid fermentation

• Waste treatment in agriculture and food Waste treatment in agriculture and food industry by aerobic treatment industry by aerobic treatment (composting) and anaerobic fermentation (composting) and anaerobic fermentation

• Treatment of municipal and industrial Treatment of municipal and industrial waste waterwaste water

• (Pre)Treatment of solid waste containing (Pre)Treatment of solid waste containing organic materialsorganic materials

Alcoholic fermentationAlcoholic fermentation

Fermentation anddestillation: ethanol

and residues

Processing and recyclingof residues

Agriculture: production ofcarbohydratesas raw material

Aerobic ProcessesAerobic Processes

Agricutural Agricutural wastes:wastes:

Traditional Traditional method: method: compostingcomposting

Treatment Treatment of solid of solid urban urban waste:waste:

Technology Technology with good with good prospectsprospects

PretreatmePretreatment of nt of hazardous hazardous wastewaste

Treatment Treatment of gaseous of gaseous phases for phases for desodorizindesodorizingg

(e.g. (e.g. compost compost filters in filters in fish fish industry)industry)

CompostingComposting

Composting is a traditional technology in agriculture and Composting is a traditional technology in agriculture and gardening. Today there are processes of treatment of gardening. Today there are processes of treatment of

municipal waste which make use of the heat of composting for municipal waste which make use of the heat of composting for drying the solid waste before separation under investigation. drying the solid waste before separation under investigation. There is no significant contribution to the energy supply of There is no significant contribution to the energy supply of

Germany by composting of biomass.Germany by composting of biomass. Composting of mixtures of municipal and organic waste of food Composting of mixtures of municipal and organic waste of food

industry is implemented in many citiesindustry is implemented in many cities

Anaerobic Digestion: Biogas HistoryAnaerobic Digestion: Biogas History

• History in Germany starting with utilization of „marsh gas“ in the History in Germany starting with utilization of „marsh gas“ in the 19th century: gas tight drums with an diameter of about 2 to 3 19th century: gas tight drums with an diameter of about 2 to 3 meter were placed upside down into the wet lands for gas meter were placed upside down into the wet lands for gas collection and gas utilization for cooking – similar to the Indian collection and gas utilization for cooking – similar to the Indian Gabor Gas plantGabor Gas plant

• Around 1920 trucks of public services were operated with Around 1920 trucks of public services were operated with compressed biogas from digestion of sewage sludge – in the compressed biogas from digestion of sewage sludge – in the fifties of the 20th century this was given up due to low cost fifties of the 20th century this was given up due to low cost mineral oilmineral oil

• In the fifties of last century some farmers built biogas plants for In the fifties of last century some farmers built biogas plants for the treatment of aninmal wastes – the technology was based on the treatment of aninmal wastes – the technology was based on different principles and processesdifferent principles and processes

• The oil price crisis in the seventies stimulated broad activities on The oil price crisis in the seventies stimulated broad activities on the research and implementation side of agricultural biogas the research and implementation side of agricultural biogas plants and resulted in optimized plant design and process plants and resulted in optimized plant design and process performance. About 200 plants were bulit and operated at that performance. About 200 plants were bulit and operated at that time, but could not compete with the market prices for gas or time, but could not compete with the market prices for gas or liquid hydrocarbons.liquid hydrocarbons.

• The energy policy of German Federal Government now subsidies The energy policy of German Federal Government now subsidies the utilization of renewables – as a result the market for big the utilization of renewables – as a result the market for big biogas plant goes up (most of them are connected to biogas plant goes up (most of them are connected to cogeneration plants)cogeneration plants)

Potential of BiogasPotential of Biogas

• Animal excretaAnimal excreta 4.5 4.5• Vegetable residues from Vegetable residues from

agricultureagriculture 3.0- 3.0-5.35.3

• Wastes from Industry 0.3-Wastes from Industry 0.3-0.60.6

• Waste from parks and Waste from parks and gardens gardens

0.3-0.6 0.3-0.6• Organic municipal waste Organic municipal waste

0.60.6• Energy crops Energy crops 3.7 3.7• TOTAL 12.7-TOTAL 12.7-

15.3 15.3

Potential ofPotential of total (PJ/year)total (PJ/year) electric. electric.

(TWh/a)(TWh/a)96.596.5 7.27.2

65-11365-113 4.9-8.54.9-8.56.4-12.26.4-12.2 0.5-0.5-0.90.9

6.4-12.26.4-12.2 0.4-0.4-0.80.812.512.5 0.90.978.778.7 5.95.9265.1-324.9265.1-324.9 19.8-19.8-24.2 24.2

(billion m(billion m33/a)/a)

Thermal and Chemical Thermal and Chemical ProcessesProcesses

• CombustionCombustion

• PyrolysisPyrolysis

• Chemical Prozesses: hydrogenation, Chemical Prozesses: hydrogenation, transesterificationtransesterification

• Process combinations (e.g. the Process combinations (e.g. the Choren-Process: BTL „biomass to Choren-Process: BTL „biomass to liquid“)liquid“)

Mechanical ProcessesMechanical Processes

• FilteringFiltering

• DewateringDewatering

• SedimetationSedimetation

• Chopping/CuttingChopping/Cutting

• PelletisingPelletising

Conversion Technologies – Conversion Technologies – state of state of the artthe art

• BiogasBiogas

• IncinerationIncineration

• PyrolysisPyrolysis

• BTL (Biomass to liquid)BTL (Biomass to liquid)

Anaerobic Digestion of Sewage SludgeAnaerobic Digestion of Sewage Sludge

Sewage sludge is fermented and used Sewage sludge is fermented and used to cover the energy demand of the to cover the energy demand of the waste water treatment plants. By waste water treatment plants. By doing this those plants need no doing this those plants need no

external energy. The biogas is used for external energy. The biogas is used for cogeneration of heat for the digesters cogeneration of heat for the digesters

an electricity for the aerobic waste an electricity for the aerobic waste water purification process (energy for water purification process (energy for

pumping and aeration of the waste pumping and aeration of the waste water). water).

Wood Incineration UnitsWood Incineration Units

• Normally chopped wood or chopped woodv Normally chopped wood or chopped woodv residues are used as feeding materials for residues are used as feeding materials for large cogeneration plantslarge cogeneration plants

• For the heating of households pelletised For the heating of households pelletised materials are available. By using them the materials are available. By using them the incineration process can be operated incineration process can be operated automatically. The cost for the pelletized automatically. The cost for the pelletized wood in relation to mineral oil come to about wood in relation to mineral oil come to about 2/32/3

Wood Incineration PlantsWood Incineration Plants - practical examples - - practical examples -

200kW-Plant for heat production200kW-Plant for heat production

• Feed: chopped from forestry, 50 kg/hFeed: chopped from forestry, 50 kg/h

• Density of feed material: 0.25 kg/literDensity of feed material: 0.25 kg/liter

• Efficiency: 0.85Efficiency: 0.85

• 1600 hours of operation per year1600 hours of operation per year

• Feed need per year: 380 mFeed need per year: 380 m33

• Storage capacity for 2-3 weeks: 40 mStorage capacity for 2-3 weeks: 40 m33

19.5 MW – Plant for gerating heat and 19.5 MW – Plant for gerating heat and electricityelectricity

• Input „fresh“ and old wood chops, 5.33 t/h Input „fresh“ and old wood chops, 5.33 t/h maxmax

• Steam production: 25.5 t/h at 47 bar/430 Steam production: 25.5 t/h at 47 bar/430 ooC), C), steam outlet from turbine: 2.2 bar/126 steam outlet from turbine: 2.2 bar/126 ooCC

• Operation 8000 hours per yearOperation 8000 hours per year

• Energy output electrical from 3.8 to 5.1 MW Energy output electrical from 3.8 to 5.1 MW depending on heat delivery for the depending on heat delivery for the householdshouseholds

• Energy output thermal: maximum 10 MWEnergy output thermal: maximum 10 MW

Wood – a big potential in the forestsWood – a big potential in the forests

• In Germany there are growing about 60 to In Germany there are growing about 60 to 100 millions of m100 millions of m33 wood per year, that can wood per year, that can be harvestedbe harvested

• That is an energtic equivalent of about 1.5 That is an energtic equivalent of about 1.5 to 2.5 TWh/ato 2.5 TWh/a

• Compared to the actual energy Compared to the actual energy consumtion of Germany this is a potential consumtion of Germany this is a potential of 50 to 80 %of 50 to 80 %

• Actual energetic utilization of wood comes Actual energetic utilization of wood comes to 0.09 TWh/a onlyto 0.09 TWh/a only

Market prices for selected materialsMarket prices for selected materials-current prices--current prices-

• Wood chops Wood chops 50€ per 1000kg50€ per 1000kg

• Wood pellets (dry)Wood pellets (dry) 200€ per 1000kg200€ per 1000kg

• Wood, freshWood, fresh 50-80 € per m50-80 € per m33

• Biodiesel based on rape oilBiodiesel based on rape oil 0.95 € per Liter0.95 € per Liter

• WheatWheat 100 € per 1000kg100 € per 1000kg

• Mineral oilMineral oil 650 € per 1000 650 € per 1000 LitersLiters

Energy content of wood based Energy content of wood based substratessubstrates

average data average data water content water content calorific valuecalorific value oil oil

equivalentequivalent

(%)(%) (kWh/kg(kWh/kg )) L L oil/moil/m33

PiecesPieces 2020 44 165165

PelletsPellets 1010 55 325325

ChopsChops 2020 44 100100

Saw dustSaw dust 4040 2.62.6 7070

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WheatWheat 1515 44 400 L/1000 400 L/1000 kgkg

Waste IncinerationWaste Incineration- Example: Bremerhaven -- Example: Bremerhaven -

• Capacity: 315 000 tons/yearCapacity: 315 000 tons/year

• Energy output: Energy output: 100 000 000 kWh/year electrical 100 000 000 kWh/year electrical

and and 250 000 000 kWh/ year thermal250 000 000 kWh/ year thermal

Biomass as fuel, biomass to fuelBiomass as fuel, biomass to fuel

• 1 Vegetable oil, fresh and used1 Vegetable oil, fresh and used

• 2 Modified vegetable oil, biodiesel2 Modified vegetable oil, biodiesel

• 3 Bioethanol3 Bioethanol

• 4 Biogas4 Biogas

• 5 Synthetic fuels5 Synthetic fuels

Implementation BiofuelsImplementation Biofuels

1 to 4: 1 to 4:

proven technology of production and proven technology of production and applicationapplication

5: Under intense investgation with 5: Under intense investgation with great potential: „sun fuel“, „BTL, great potential: „sun fuel“, „BTL, Biomass to Liquid“Biomass to Liquid“

Biomas To Liquid: SunFuelBiomas To Liquid: SunFuel(Choren)(Choren)

• Modified „Fischer-Tropsch“ process: Modified „Fischer-Tropsch“ process: gasification of substrates at 400 to 500gasification of substrates at 400 to 500ooC with C with lack of oxygen, further oxidation above ash lack of oxygen, further oxidation above ash melting point, mixing of resulting gas mixture melting point, mixing of resulting gas mixture with solid carbon residues to produce a raw with solid carbon residues to produce a raw gas for furher specific synthesis (similar gas for furher specific synthesis (similar Fischer-Tropsch)Fischer-Tropsch)

• 15 000 ton/year pilot plant is under operation15 000 ton/year pilot plant is under operation

• Cooperation with Shell, based on Gas to Liquid Cooperation with Shell, based on Gas to Liquid process, operated in Malaysiaprocess, operated in Malaysia

The Hydrogen ProblemThe Hydrogen Problem

CC HH O*)O*)

MethaneMethane 0.750.75 0.250.25 --

„„Mineral Oil“Mineral Oil“ 0.850.85 0.150.15 --

„„Mineral Coal“Mineral Coal“ 0.830.83 0.050.05 0.120.12

BiomassBiomass 0.500.50 0.070.07 0.430.43

*) fractions by weight, rough figures*) fractions by weight, rough figures

Potential for SunFuel from…Potential for SunFuel from…(million tons per year)(million tons per year)

• ForestryForestry 2.52.5

• Unused strawUnused straw 4.04.0

• Energy cropsEnergy crops 3 to 63 to 6

• Biomass available totalBiomass available total

(Germany)(Germany) 30 30

• EU 25EU 25 115115

Fuel Consumption (million tons per year)Fuel Consumption (million tons per year)

• 20052005 5050

• 2020 (exp)2020 (exp) 4444

2005 Biodiesel2005 Biodiesel (est.)(est.) 1.41.4

2020 Biodiesel (exp.)2020 Biodiesel (exp.) 11.111.1

FutureFuture

The future development will be based on The future development will be based on increasing production of energy crops, increasing production of energy crops, optimized utilization of organic residues and optimized utilization of organic residues and on thermal-chemical treatment of organic on thermal-chemical treatment of organic matter to produce gaseous and liquid fuels.matter to produce gaseous and liquid fuels.

There are lot of estimations for future There are lot of estimations for future contributions of biomass to energy supply, contributions of biomass to energy supply, they will come to at least 20 or 30 percent they will come to at least 20 or 30 percent until 2020. until 2020.

Windenergy in Germany 2005Windenergy in Germany 2005 German Association for Windenergy German Association for Windenergy

• Total installed capacityTotal installed capacity 18 400 MW18 400 MW

• Number of convertersNumber of converters 17 578417 5784

• Installed in 2005: 1049 new plants with a Installed in 2005: 1049 new plants with a total capacity of 1800 MWtotal capacity of 1800 MW

• New installations expected for 2006: 1500 New installations expected for 2006: 1500 MWMW

• Increasing market for German exportIncreasing market for German export

Proposed Future Installation of Power Proposed Future Installation of Power Plants in Germany - Plants in Germany - not from not from RenewablesRenewables

• CapacityCapacity 23 000 MW (2012)23 000 MW (2012)

• CapacityCapacity 40 000 MW (2020)40 000 MW (2020)

• Total InvestmentTotal Investment 40 billion €40 billion €