The Biofficiency project focuses on the improvement of biomass utilisation for combined heat and power (CHP) generation. The mobilisation of currently unused biomasses like agricultural or other bio-industry residues in highly efficient CHP plants is required to meet this goal. Biofficiency gathers a unique consortium to investigate current issues preventing the achievement of this target. The overall objective is the development of the next generation of biomass-based CHP plants using difficult fuels while assuring a secure and nearly carbon-neutral power generation.
The common biomass types for heat and power generation reduce CO2 emissions by 55-98% when compared to the current fossil fuel mix in Europe. Especially in the heating sector, biomass can help to reduce the share of coal. Compared to small-scale heating systems, larger power plants have a much higher efficiency due to improved steam parameters and highly optimized heat production. Furthermore, the flue gas cleaning systems in power plants are designed to meet strict limits for fine particles, NOX and SO2 emissions, reducing the impact of hazardous materials on human health in the EU. Furthermore, larger-scale applications provide the opportunity to combust unused or low-quality fuels, e.g. bark from the pulp and paper industry, agricultural or harvest residues and further biogenic waste streams.
In contrast to wind and solar energy production, biomass is a flexible energy generation technology that can follow the demand and help to stabilise the power grid while accelerating the transmission to a high share of renewable energy sources in the European power system.
The project addresses current bottlenecks in solid biomass combustion, namely enhanced deposit formation, corrosion and ash utilisation. The goal is to deepen the understanding of biomass combustion, to improve current biomass pre-treatment technologies, as well as to contribute to the field of biomass ash utilisation. This benefits industry, communal partners and public authorities by providing sustainable heat and electricity at significantly decreased emissions.
The main objectives of the Biofficiency project are increasing the efficiency of CHP plants by elevated steam parameters through solving and understanding of ash-related problems, reducing emissions, widening the feedstock flexibility of power plants using pre-treatment methods (torrefaction, hydrothermal carbonisation and steam explosion) and optimising ash utilisation and nutrient recirculation.
