Project description
Powering a new solution for flexible energy
Decarbonising the economy and ensuring energy security is a priority for the EU. Replacing fossil fuels with renewables will improve energy efficiency and lead to more flexible energy systems. In this context, the EU-funded Bio-FlexGen project will increase the efficiency and flexibility of renewable energy-based combined heat and power. The novelty here is a unique combination of gasification and gas turbine technology that allows the plant to utilise hydrogen for fast dispatch and biomass for low operating costs over time. The project proposes the use of two renewable energy sources: green hydrogen from variable renewables and biomass. The results will play a key role in energy system integration and make a significant contribution to the decarbonisation of the energy system.
Objective
Climate change is the most significant challenge for humanity today. For this reason, fossil fuels must be replaced utilising renewables, improved energy efficiency and more flexible energy systems. An optimal combination of several renewable sources is needed to satisfy human energy needs. Bioenergy, in combination with hydrogen, can take the role as secure and plannable source for power and heat complementing intermittent renewable sources such as wind and sun.
BIO-FlexGen will increase the efficiency and flexibility of renewable energy-based combined heat and power (CHP), playing a key role in energy system integration, and make a significant contribution to the decarbonisation of the energy system.
In particular, to overcome these challenges, Bio-FlexGen brings to the table a unique combination of gasification and gas turbine technology that allows the plant to utilise hydrogen for fast dispatch and biomass for low operating costs over time. Due to the high efficiency, three times more power can be generated from biomass for the same heat load, and the plant can quickly achieve full load by starting and operating on 100% hydrogen. To meet fluctuations in seasonal demands and prices, a variant of the plant can provide climate-positive hydrogen production during long periods of low electricity prices or heat demand.
To do so, Bio-FlexGen consortium gathers the necessary experience, knowledge and resources through a multi-stakeholder approach that covers the whole value chain of the project. It consists of a multidisciplinary team of 14 entities from 5 different EU countries (Spain, Finland, Sweden, Germany, Hungary), among which, 4 universities, 2 RTD organisations, 1 NGO, and 4 SMEs to ensure market exploitation (2 industrial companies and 1 District heat company).
Fields of science
- social sciencespolitical sciencespolitical policiescivil societynongovernmental organizations
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectrical engineeringpower engineeringelectric power generationcombined heat and power
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesclimatologyclimatic changes
- agricultural sciencesagricultural biotechnologybiomass
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsrenewable energyhydrogen energy
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
501 15 Boras
Sweden