BIOMASS Current Technologies and Future Projections ALEX EVANS February 24 th 2005

Biomass Production of energy from animal or plant wasteProduction of energy from animal or plant waste One of the oldest forms of energy generationOne of the oldest forms of energy generation Second largest form of renewable energies generationSecond largest form of renewable energies generation

Agriculture and Forestry Waste Two Main groupsTwo Main groups Dry Combustible – straw and forest wasteDry Combustible – straw and forest waste Utilised using combustion, gasification or pyrolysis Wet Wastes – vegetable roots and farm slurriesWet Wastes – vegetable roots and farm slurries Utilised using anaerobic digestion

Energy Crops Dry, high lignin crops – combustion, gasification or pyrolysisDry, high lignin crops – combustion, gasification or pyrolysis Wet biomass – converted to liquid or gas through fermentation under anaerobic digestionWet biomass – converted to liquid or gas through fermentation under anaerobic digestion New Research!New Research!

Bio - Fuels Cereals and sugar beet – ethanolCereals and sugar beet – ethanol Contribute to the running of 10 million cars in BrazilContribute to the running of 10 million cars in Brazil Reduce oil dependence on other countriesReduce oil dependence on other countries Anaerobic Digestion - biogasAnaerobic Digestion - biogas Applications for stationary industrial enginesApplications for stationary industrial engines Limited use in cars as it requires compressionLimited use in cars as it requires compression

Projections Current Use 2003 = 150 PJCurrent Use 2003 = 150 PJ Future Use 2025 = 600PJFuture Use 2025 = 600PJ Composed from 25PJ Agricultural and Forestry WasteComposed from 25PJ Agricultural and Forestry Waste 540PJ Energy Crops 540PJ Energy Crops Energy Source Projection by 2025 TWh/Year Straw Burning 30 Forestry Waste 12.4 Farm Wastes and Animal Slurries 10.8 Energy Crops Sewage Sludge 0.7

Conclusions Potential not realisedPotential not realised Could be the second largest provider in futureCould be the second largest provider in future Severe opposition to past plansSevere opposition to past plans