International Energy Agency Bioenergy Research Articles

Methane emissions along biomethane and biogas supply chains are underestimated

Methane emissions along biomethane and biogas supply chains are underestimated

Results of the International Energy Agency Bioenergy Round Robin on the Analysis of Heteroatoms in Biomass Liquefaction Oils

A round robin study evaluating the analysis of biomass liquefaction oils (BLOs) from fast pyrolysis and hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) was performed, receiving data from 14 laboratories in seven countries in order to assess the current status of analytical techniques for the determination of nitrogen, sulfur, and chlorine content in BLOs and to evaluate potential differences in origin (i.e., fast pyrolysis versus HTL). The BLOs were produced from a range of feedstocks including pine, mixed softwoods, forest residues, microalgae, miscanthus, and wheat straw to cover a variety in nitrogen, sulfur, and chlorine content and speciation. Nine samples were distributed, comprised of eight separate BLOs and one blind duplicate produced by five producers. The samples were analyzed for water, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, and chlorine content. No analytical test method was mandated; laboratories were encouraged to utilize whichever method they determined would be most applicable, relying on the existing body of BLO literature as a guide. The results of this round robin study are presented in this paper. The results of the carbon, hydrogen, and water measurements as reference analyses had relative standard deviations (2.9, 3.5, and 5.6%, respectively) that were comparable to those found in past round robin studies on fast pyrolysis bio-oil. The analysis of nitrogen, sulfur, and chlorine showed higher levels of variability. Laboratories mostly chose the same method for water, carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen determination, whereas there were a variety of methods chosen for sulfur and chlorine determination. The results suggest that specific analytical methods for the determination of nitrogen, sulfur, and chlorine should be further refined to ensure reproducible and accurate results for BLO analysis due to their importance in emissions, material selection, and catalyst activity.

First- and second-generation biochemicals from sugars: biosynthesis of itaconic acid.

First- and second-generation biochemicals from sugars: biosynthesis of itaconic acid.

Biomass as an energy source

Bioenergy is a source of sustainable energy. On the world stage biomass provides 10.6% of global primary energy supplies. There are several drivers for its development in Australia. The paper discusses the bioenergy technologies of combustion (including co-firing), gasification, pyrolysis and anaerobic digestion, noting some key projects that have been developed under each category. Australia's Mandatory Renewable Energy Target and its requirements have stimulated renewable energy, and notably bioenergy projects. The status and development of liquid biofuels are also covered. The paper also discusses bioenergy supporting activities, such as the development of a national bioenergy atlas, participation in the International Energy Agency's Bioenergy program, a major biomass energy production report and the function and operation of Bioenergy Australia.

International Energy Agency--bioenergy: current state of fuel ethanol commercialization.

International Energy Agency--bioenergy: current state of fuel ethanol commercialization.

Anaerobic digestion of municipal solid waste: A modern waste disposal option on the verge of breakthrough

This paper is the synthesis of three years of work in the field of anaerobic digestion (AD), waste management issues in general and many plant visits to operational digestion installations, carried out in the framework of the International Energy Agency's Bioenergy Agreement, Annex XI's Anaerobic Digestion of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) activity. The paper presents an overview of the current status and deployment of AD-technology for MSW, systems available on the market, opportunities and barriers relating to this technology when competing with alternative ways for the management of MSW (landfill, incineration, aerobic composting), including its advantages (renewable energy source a.o.) and limitations. Furthermore, AD is placed in the context of end product and energy markets and in the context of recycling and environmental aspects in general.

Environmental consequences of intensive harvesting

Sustainable deployment of bioenergy production systems requires that we achieve the ability to predict the impact of intensive harvesting on forest site productivity. During the period 1992–1994, collaborators in International Energy Agency Bioenergy Agreement (IEA/BA) Task IX Activity “Environmental consequences of intensive harvesting” have refined protocols for conducting field and laboratory research designed to reduce uncertainty associated with predictive models; have published comprehensive reviews of the state of our knowledge related to long-term productivity in intensively managed forests; have sought to improve our understanding of recent research advances on theoretical and empirical levels in the areas of carbon cycling, sustainable forest management, and managing site fertility; and to direct this information to developing acceptable and efficient bioenergy production systems. This paper summarises the findings of these efforts, and indicates where future international collaboration is required to achieve the predictive ability required by the IEA/BA.

Wood feedstock qualities for energy conversion and the potential for their biological improvement

Abstract The accomplishments of the Wood Feedstock Quality activity of Task V of the International Energy Agency's Bioenergy Agreement are described. Areas investigated included energy products and co-products from woody biomass; effects of harvesting, processing and storage on feedstock quality; the effect of feedstock quality on the efficiency of biomass conversion; the potential for biological improvement; the need for standardization of feedstock qualities; and the need for clonal characterization.

Biomass conversion: An overview of the IEA bioenergy agreement task VII

Extensive research and development activities have been conducted in the area of biomass conversion over the past several years. Task VII of the International Energy Agency's Bioenergy Agreement provided a means to coordinate the ongoing national programs of fourteen participating countries during the period from 1989 through 1991. This paper provides an overview of the state of the technology development for biomass conversion and summarizes the progress of the IEA program.

Collection and distribution of poplar species, hybrids and clones

Three countries participated in the ‘Poplar Exchange’ activity of the 3-year programme of Task 2 of the International Energy Agency's Bioenergy Agreement. The objectives of this activity were to exchange clones and/or seeds for immediate use in new environments and to collect information on clonal reactions to various diseases in different environments. Discussed in this paper are the poplar breeding programme in Belgium, biomass production possibilities, clones exchanged, current outstanding problems, and provisional results.

Genetic improvement of willows for energy plantations

Seven countries participated in the 3-year programme (1986–1988) of the Willow Breeding Activity, Task 2 of the International Energy Agency's Bioenergy Agreement. The objectives of the activity were to facilitate the development of superior, high yielding willow clones for energy plantations by (a) exchange of genetic stock, (b) exchange of information on breeding studies, and (c) joint actions. The results of this cooperative activity are discussed accordingly. Significant achievements are in (a) enrichment of the genetic stock, especially of North American willow species; (b) evaluation and stimulation of genetic studies and breeding programmes; and (c) joint actions on disease surveys, clonal identification problems, joint testing methods and willow feedstock qualities for energy conversion. The development of high yielding stock (30 odt/ha per year or more) seems to be within reach.

Drying and storing of comminuted wood fuels

A relatively large number of storing and drying studies of wood fuels have been carried out within the countries participating in the International Energy Agency (IEA) Bioenergy Programme. The main purpose of the studies has been to contribute to the knowledge of the processes taking place during storing and drying, and to formulated guidelines for practical storage of wood fuels. This report gives an overview of research carried out over the last few years within the countries participating in the IEA Bioenergy cooperation.

The combustion of biomass — environmental consequences: An intercalibration study of sampling and chemical analyses of air pollution

This paper is the final report of the project ‘The combustion of biomass — environmental consequences’ in the International Energy Agency Bioenergy Program. Regulations of air pollution emission from wood stoves and boilers in the countries participating in the project vary considerably. An intercalibration of sampling methods and chemical analyses of organic micropollutants from a boiler has been made. Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden participated in this intercalibration. There is good correlation between the sampling methods and the chemical analyses of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in the stack gas samples.

Economic evaluations for short-rotation biomass production systems

Economic evaluations were added, for the first time, as a formal ‘Activity’ in the 1986 International Energy Agency Bioenergy Agreement task II. The objective of the ‘Activity’ was to economically evaluate the state of the art for short-rotation biomass production systems. This was done through three significant economic workshops, a comprehensive annotated bibliography, the development and testing of a standardized cost accounting spreadsheet for reporting cost informations, and the publishing of numerous technical papers. Given the economic climate during 1986–88, short-rotation woody crop systems for energy appeared marginal in most instances without government incentives.

Municipal solid waste conversion to energy

Municipal solid waste (MSW) conversion — the recovery of energy (and materials) from MSW — has been the subject of one activity within the 1986–88 International Energy Agency Bioenergy Agreement. The participating countries have been Canada, Sweden and the UK, with the activity being led by Harwell Laboratory. The major aim of the work has been to establish a co-operative approach to the R&D undertaken in each country on MSW conversion. The emphasis has been on R&D which concentrates on technical and environmental aspects of energy (rather than materials) recovery. This has encompassed a wide range of technology options — mass combustion, production and combustion of refuse derived fuels, abstraction and utilisation of landfill gas, anaerobic digestion, and thermal processing. The paper gives a summary of the approach taken in fulfilling the aims of the activity and summarises recent, current and proposed R&D programmes in each country. Proposals made at an expert workshop for specific co-operative ventures during 1989–91 are also summarised.