Biomass Energy Facilities Research Articles

Combined biomass network design: A new integrated approach based on ArcGIS

In light of contemporary energy and environmental objectives, a pivotal transformation of the energy system, encompassing biomass energy, is imperative. A notable challenge in biomass energy facility layout planning is the trade-off between high-efficiency production and the associated investment costs. To harmonize energy efficiency with economy viability, a hybrid layout with the simultaneous construction of centralized and decentralized biomass energy facilities has emerged as a crucial strategic solution. However, the delineation methods for these two layouts lack explicit data support. This study established a population density threshold (PDT) suitable for selecting the distributed layout and employed population density as the criterion for delineating the two layouts. Taking Fuxin City as an example, hybrid layout planning schemes were generated under different PDTs, and a cost and energy benefit analysis framework was developed for these schemes. The results indicated that the scheme with a PDT of 145 person/km2 exhibited the highest energy and economic comprehensive benefits. Compared to a single layout, the planning strategy proposed in this study could achieve nearly the same energy surplus level while saving an investment cost ranging from 2403.9 million CNY to 25,000.23 million CNY. The findings are applicable to other regions with similar conditions, and the analysis framework proposed in this study can be utilized in formulating biomass development strategies for other countries and regions.

A method for determining the optimal number and location of biomass energy facilities

The site selection of biomass energy facilities has always been a key part of energy spatial planning. The site suitability evaluation criteria of the existing studies are not comprehensive. On the other hand, most of the existing studies are to determine the only site, while less research on the multiple-facility planning. The aim of this paper is to identify the most effective number and location for biomass energy facilities. To achieve this objective, the Geographic Information System (GIS) is utilized to perform the following tasks: Generate a site suitability map for potential biomass energy facilities and identify suitable site candidates. The standardization of site suitability evaluation indicators is based on fuzzy logic, and indicator weights are determined based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) evaluation of experts' opinions. 2. Develop planning schemes for biomass energy facilities for various number of proposed facilities, and subsequently determine the optimal scheme using multi-objective fuzzy comprehensive evaluation. The weight of each indicator is again determined using the AHP method. Following the analysis, it was found that in the case study of Fuxin City, the plans of 1 and 40 biomass energy facilities can achieve the lowest cost and the highest energy self-sufficiency level. However, both options have potential drawbacks that must be considered. The plan of 30 energy facilities has the highest comprehensive benefits, corresponding to the 30,919.75 yuan of transport cost (3748 yuan lower than the average transport cost) and 75.49% of energy self-sufficiency (67.21% of the average value). This work maximizes the comprehensive positive impacts in economic, environmental and social aspects.

Analyzing the most eligible site selection for biomass energy facilities through weighted overlay analysis: case of Balikesir (Turkey) province

Objective: This study aims to analyze the eligible site selection for biomass energy facilities in Balıkesir province, which is ranked as one of the important provinces of Turkey from the perspective of agriculture and livestock activities. Material and Methods: Within the framework of the study, the most eligible areas for biomass energy facilities in the province were determined by Weighted Overlay Analysis with the use of Geographic Information Systems. Results: In results of the study, it was revealed that the most eligible areas for biomass energy facilities in the province were the districts of Karesi, Susurluk and Savaştepe, respectively, while the districts of Ayvalık, Edremit and Erdek districts located in the coastal part of the province were not suitable. Conclusion: This study is expected to shed light on all the planning studies undertaken within the scope of the sustainable management of the city and the protection of ecology.

Comparative analysis of bioenergy potential and suitability modeling in the USA and Turkey

Both estimation and evaluation of electric energy potential from biomass are quite important in terms of renewable energy aims and policies. Identification of suitable locations for biomass energy facilities carries significant benefits from the rich potential for bioenergy. In this context, the paper applies a novel methodology in two study areas, namely Boulder, Colorado, United States (USA) and Selcuklu, Konya, Turkey. First, the study calculates energy potential from animal manure (i.e., cattle and sheep) and agricultural residues (i.e., corn, wheat, and barley). Second, location suitability is obtained by means of a Geographic Information Systems (GIS)-based approach that exploits fuzzy logic and the Best Worst Method (BWM). The result for bioenergy potential shows that Selcuklu (for 2019) and Boulder (for 2017) have 10,834 kW and 1,406 kW installed capacity. Differences in the pattern of suitable locations are also apparent. Selcuklu shows a broad spatial distribution of good but relatively lower suitability scores, while Boulder’s scores are more localized and extremely high (approaching 0.99), due to differing patterns of steep terrain and to differing policies regulating green space. This information indicates that the electricity generation potential and facility location suitability for biomass energy clearly differ depending on differences in study area characteristics.

Suitability modeling and sensitivity analysis for biomass energy facilities in Turkey

Suitability modeling and sensitivity analysis for biomass energy facilities in Turkey

Industry Continues to Make Progress on Carbon Capture

Does the world really want carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS)? The answer is an unequivocal “Yes,” say the International Energy Agency (IEA), the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the United Nations, and many oil and gas companies, among others. The consensus is that rapid scaleup of CCUS is essential for meeting climate and emissions targets while not crippling economic growth. As much as 450 million Mt of CO2 could be captured, used, and stored globally with a commercial incentive as low as $40/Mt, according to the IEA. Yet this potential remains largely untapped. “It’s a chicken-and-egg problem,” said Dan Cole, vice president of commercial development and governmental relations at Denbury Resources. “To address the challenges, more projects need to be built, but more aren’t being built,” said•Cole. • The reasons are many. The engineering sector is trying to scale up relatively immature technologies outside of niche projects and experiencing growing pains. Uncertainty around policy and return on investment (ROI), or lack thereof, is pushing back or halting large-scale projects. Public sentiment is pushing ever harder against carbon of any type in favor of renewable energy. CCUS encompasses four interrelated areas, each of which face its own distinct technological, financial, and perceptual challenges. Capture Transportation Storage Use/Reuse Fig. 1 illustrates the CCUS process. Carbon Capture—the Least Mature Area Approximately two-thirds of the total cost of CCUS is attributed to carbon capture. Additionally, capturing and compressing CO2 is estimated to increase the cost per watt-hour of energy produced by 21–91% for fossil fuel power plants, and applying the technology to existing plants would be more expensive, especially if they are far from a sequestration site. Of all the components of the CCUS process, capture is considered the least technologically mature. Belief is widespread that optimizing a CO2 capture process would significantly increase the feasibility of CCUS because transport and storage technologies are more•mature. Capturing CO2 is most effective at point sources such as large fossil fuel or biomass energy facilities, industries with major CO2 emissions, natural gas processing, synthetic fuel plants, and fossil fuel-based hydrogen production plants. CO2 also can be captured directly from the air through direct air capture (DAC) rather than at a point source. Carbon dioxide can be separated out of air or flue gas with absorption, adsorption, or membrane gas separation technologies. Absorption, or carbon scrubbing, with amines is currently the dominant capture technology. Membrane and adsorption technologies are still in the developmental research and pilot plant•stages.

Fuzzy Multi-objective Forest Biomass-to-biofuel Facility Location Problem with Social Consideration

This study proposes a novel multiple-objective forest biomass-to-biofuel facility location problem with social consideration and uncertainties, which determines locations of forest biomass-to-biofuel facilities so as to satisfy the energy demand, while the scale of facilities is limited. Aside from the two objectives (i.e., minimizing cost and pollution) that were often discussed in previous problems, the problem in this study additionally considers an objective from the social aspect, i.e., maximizing the job opportunity by opening facilities. Furthermore, many uncertain factors may affect the number of days of operating biomass energy facilities as well as biomass production; the demand of biomass energy is uncertain with the unstable price of fossil fuels; and the number of job offers is uncertain. Therefore, we adopt fuzzy theory to add environmental uncertainties in the problem. To solve this problem, we employ the geographic information system to obtain candidate locations of facilities and biomass, and then use fuzzy multiple objective linear programming to solve the problem. From experimental results, the conflict between objectives can be observed.

Optimizing the Location of Biomass Energy Facilities by Integrating Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) and Geographical Information Systems (GIS)

Internationally forest biomass is considered to be a valuable renewable energy feedstock. However, utilization of forest harvesting residues is challenging because they are highly varied, generally of low quality and usually widely distributed across timber harvesting sites. Factors related to the collection, processing and transport impose constraints on the economic viability of residue utilization operations and impact their supply from dispersed feedstock locations. To optimize decision-making about suitable locations for biomass energy plants intending to use forest residues, it is essential to factor in these supply chain considerations. This study conducted in Tasmania, Australia presents an investigation into the integration of Multi-criteria analysis (MCA) and Geographical Information systems (GIS) to identify optimal locations for prospective biomass power plants. The amount of forest harvesting biomass residues was estimated based on a non-industrial private native resource model in Tasmania (NIPNF). The integration of MCA and a GIS model, including a supply chain cost analysis, allowed the identification and analysis of optimal candidate locations that balanced economic, environmental, and social criteria within the biomass supply. The study results confirm that resource availability, land use and supply chain cost data can be integrated and mapped using GIS to facilitate the determination of different sustainable criteria weightings, and to ultimately generate optimal candidate locations for biomass energy plants. It is anticipated that this paper will make a contribution to current scientific knowledge by presenting innovative approaches for the sustainable utilization of forest harvest residues as a resource for the generation of bioenergy in Tasmania.

Utilisation of biomass energy systems for sustainable development with geographical information systems - case of Cyprus

Due to the increase in the popularity of renewable energy resources based on their low cost, efficiency and environmentally friendly nature; many developing countries has begun to take precautions in order to facilitate the best possible utilisation of these resources. Many research showed that energy consumption and re-use of energy generated by biomass utilisation in several countries have come into prominence. This research addresses the advantages and disadvantages of biomass energy, environmental and economic factors and benefits of the utilisation of biomass energy systems. Nevertheless, legal processes required for biomass energy facilities are reviewed and included in this research. This research covers the sample project named as 'MorSalkim' which is a prospective project that will be possibly held in Cyprus Island which is regarded as a developing island country in the Mediterranean sea. In this project, the role of utilisation of geographical information systems within biomass centre configuration and increase in efficiency and the economic, environmental and sustainability facts are revealed.

Effects of Whole-Tree Harvesting on Species Composition of Tree and Understory Communities in a Northern Hardwood Forest

In the northeastern United States, whole-tree harvesting is widely used to supply fuel to biomass energy facilities, but questions remain regarding its long-term sustainability. We have previously reported findings indicating no short-term decrease in forest productivity in whole-tree harvested sites when compared with similar conventionally (stem-only) harvested sites. Here we present additional results of the same study, but focus on the effect harvest treatment has on the species composition of the regenerating forest. Within northern hardwood forests in central New Hampshire and western Maine, regeneration surveys were conducted on four (4) small clearcuts in 2010 and twenty-nine (29) small clearcuts in 2011. The species and diameter of trees > 2 m in height were recorded within 1 m or 2 m-radius plots and used to calculate the biomass fraction of each species. The 2010 study additionally measured the density of trees 2 m in height and the diversity of understory non-tree species. Non-metric multidimensional scaling and multi-response permutation procedures were used to determine the effect of harvest treatment had on community-wide tree species composition. Potential differences were also examined on a species-by-species basis. Both analytic methods indicated no significant differences in species composition of tree species or understory communities. Within the limits of our data, we conclude that no significant effects of residue removal on species composition are observed within our sample of northern hardwood sites at this early stage of stand development.

Spatial distribution of agricultural residue from rice for potential biofuel production in China

Abstract In China, agricultural residues (particularly from rice) are widely used for energy and other applications, albeit on a localized scale and often at poor rates of efficiency. If some portion of this biomass were to be reallocated and transported to central biomass energy facilities, an initial component of the design process would be to gain an understanding of the spatial distribution of biomass production. In this paper, we present a method that utilizes China-wide data sets of net primary production (NPP) from the moderate-resolution imaging spectrometer (MODIS) and detailed land cover maps produced from Landsat-enhanced thematic mapper plus (ETM+) data to calculate the spatial distribution of rice straw for the period 2000–2004. Through a comparison with census statistics, we show that remote measures of rice straw can reasonably predict census results at the provincial scale. Remote sensing results have the added benefits of being a quick and inexpensive solution for providing spatially detailed information. Therefore, these data can be used for applications such as the spatial optimization of energy production infrastructure. In an error analysis including climate and land use variables, we found that data on sown rice area is the largest source of error. Therefore, the most important improvement to this method would be more accurate and more frequently updated maps of agricultural land use.

Environmental considerations in energy crop production

Biomass energy has the potential to be a significant source of electric or liquid fuel energy in selected regions of the United States with valuable economic and environmental benefit to the country. By supplying biomass energy facilities with dedicated energy crops, fossil carbon emissions will be minimal or even negative due to carbon sequestration opportunities in the crops and soil. However, to maximize environment benefits, consideration must be taken of relative emissions to air and water, relative erosion rates, relative effects on long-term site productivity, and relative effects on habitat change and biodiversity. This paper is a preliminary attempt to provide information on the probable environmental effects of energy crop production relative to other potential uses of the land. While dedicated energy crop production is anticipated to occur primarily on land currently in agricultural production, some pastureland and forestland with a high potential for conversion to agricultural production may be utilized. Experimental results suggest that chemical use on energy crops will be lower than on most row crops and that land producing energy crops should experience less erosion than land producing row crops. Long-term site productivity should not be a major issue if macro- and microfertilizers are added as needed and nutrient-conserving production techniques are used. Biodiversity effects, as with most environmental issues, will depend greatly on how energy crop production is integrated into existing agricultural landscapes, how much land total becomes dedicated to energy crops, and what alternative uses for the land might exist.