Periodic Reporting for period 2 - SmartCHP (Smart and flexible heat and power from biomass derived liquids for small-scale CHP application)
Période du rapport: 2020-12-01 au 2021-11-30
Small scale biomass-based Combined Heat and Power (CHP) has the potential to contribute significantly in solving the challenges Europe faces while pursuing the goal to make its energy system smart, clean, flexible, secure, cost competitive and efficient. High efficiencies are achieved by combining heat and power generation, and even cooling can be integrated in such a scheme. Furthermore, CHP can play an important role in securing electricity supply by balancing a Renewable Energy Sources (RES) based grid (“dispatchable power”) to compensate for fluctuating wind and solar electricity. For small-scale biomass CHP systems, a standardized fuel, enabling optimization of the conversion units and thus creating a cost competitive value chain, is highly preferred. Moreover, to achieve high resource efficiencies at all times a highly flexible ratio between heat and power generation is desired. A smart, demand driven unit should be capable of dealing with the fluctuating energy demand and/or varying availability of wind/solar power. In such a case, it is advantageous if the CHP system is flexible enough to adjust its fuel load rapidly, and this is achievable particularly with liquid fuels. Unfortunately, most renewable biomass resources are solid materials with a low energy density, therefore a preceding liquefaction step seems attractive. The resulting liquid energy carrier is then used to fuel the CHP unit, and this is the concept under development in SmartCHP.
The overall objective of SmartCHP is the realization of a cost-effective and flexible energy system by using a liquid intermediate energy carrier in an efficient diesel-engine based CHP system. More specifically, it concerns the development of a smart and flexible, small-scale CHP unit (100 – 1,000 kWe) fueled with fast pyrolysis bio-oil (FPBO) originating from different types of lignocellulosic biomasses and/or residues. Fast pyrolysis is a process to convert a variety of biomass resources into a uniform liquid fuel called FPBO, and the process is characterized by a high feedstock flexibility. Nowadays, FPBO is produced on a commercial scale in Europe (e.g. Finland & the Netherlands). The SmartCHP system combines an FPBO fueled engine and flue gas boiler to produce electricity and heat at a high efficiency over the whole load range. A dedicated flue gas treatment guarantees low emissions. Furthermore, SmartCHP enables higher levels of renewables in the electricity system by providing a flexible, responsive and intelligent solution
The overall objective of SmartCHP is the realization of a cost-effective and flexible energy system by using a liquid intermediate energy carrier in an efficient diesel-engine based CHP system. More specifically, it concerns the development of a smart and flexible, small-scale CHP unit (100 – 1,000 kWe) fueled with fast pyrolysis bio-oil (FPBO) originating from different types of lignocellulosic biomasses and/or residues. Fast pyrolysis is a process to convert a variety of biomass resources into a uniform liquid fuel called FPBO, and the process is characterized by a high feedstock flexibility. Nowadays, FPBO is produced on a commercial scale in Europe (e.g. Finland & the Netherlands). The SmartCHP system combines an FPBO fueled engine and flue gas boiler to produce electricity and heat at a high efficiency over the whole load range. A dedicated flue gas treatment guarantees low emissions. Furthermore, SmartCHP enables higher levels of renewables in the electricity system by providing a flexible, responsive and intelligent solution
A screening of suitable biomass feedstocks was conducted for the EU countries. A scoring was made using multiple criteria like feedstock availability, suitability for pyrolysis, sustainability, support mechanisms and energy prices. Eventually, five countries were selected representing different regions in Europe, different scenarios, and different feedstocks. Three of the biomass feedstocks will be tested in the fast pyrolysis process.
The specific physical and chemical properties of FPBO make the direct application in conventional diesel engines very challenging. Research has started to investigate the relevant combustion properties of FPBO in dedicated Combustion Research Unit (CRU). The auto-ignition characteristics of FPBO are much poorer than diesel, and the addition of cetane improver is assessed.
A critical element of the FPBO fueled diesel engine is the fuel supply and injection system. A test unit was constructed to allow stand-alone, long-term testing of the new fuel injector and fuel pump. A successful test was completed achieving over 800 h of operation with a single injector and pump.
In the SmartCHP concept additional heat can be produced by combusting extra FPBO in the flue gas. Experiments were started using different burner configurations and different artificial gas compositions. A minimum oxygen content of around 12% is needed in the flue gas to enable stable combustion. Additionally, the flue gas cleaning -consisting of particle filter, CO/CxHy oxidation and DeNOx- is being tested.
To enable smart control of the SmartCHP unit, a predictive, real-time dynamic system model is developed. The predictive system model will be used to determine the optimal working point depending on actual power and heat demand and should eventually result in a smart control system to be demonstrated on the integrated system. In the first part of the project, models have been developed and validated for the individual units (engine, combustion, and flue gas cleaning), and will be integrated in due course in a complete system model.
An overview of the CHP market and its trends in the short/mid-term horizon in EU-27 has been prepared, leading to the evaluation of the potential for FPBO fueled CHP systems in the European market. The regional dimension at the EU level has been studied leading to the selection of several “focus countries” where SmartCHP technology could be effectively applied and tested. The focus countries are Croatia, Greece, the Netherlands, Romania, and Sweden. The public report can be found on the project’s website.
To foster knowledge exchange, gather feedback on R&D activities and enhance networking in the area, a stakeholder forum dedicated to biomass-based CHP – BIOCOGEN 2030 – has been established, together with sister project Blaze. So far more than 150 stakeholders have registered to the forum and three (online) dissemination events have been organised.
The specific physical and chemical properties of FPBO make the direct application in conventional diesel engines very challenging. Research has started to investigate the relevant combustion properties of FPBO in dedicated Combustion Research Unit (CRU). The auto-ignition characteristics of FPBO are much poorer than diesel, and the addition of cetane improver is assessed.
A critical element of the FPBO fueled diesel engine is the fuel supply and injection system. A test unit was constructed to allow stand-alone, long-term testing of the new fuel injector and fuel pump. A successful test was completed achieving over 800 h of operation with a single injector and pump.
In the SmartCHP concept additional heat can be produced by combusting extra FPBO in the flue gas. Experiments were started using different burner configurations and different artificial gas compositions. A minimum oxygen content of around 12% is needed in the flue gas to enable stable combustion. Additionally, the flue gas cleaning -consisting of particle filter, CO/CxHy oxidation and DeNOx- is being tested.
To enable smart control of the SmartCHP unit, a predictive, real-time dynamic system model is developed. The predictive system model will be used to determine the optimal working point depending on actual power and heat demand and should eventually result in a smart control system to be demonstrated on the integrated system. In the first part of the project, models have been developed and validated for the individual units (engine, combustion, and flue gas cleaning), and will be integrated in due course in a complete system model.
An overview of the CHP market and its trends in the short/mid-term horizon in EU-27 has been prepared, leading to the evaluation of the potential for FPBO fueled CHP systems in the European market. The regional dimension at the EU level has been studied leading to the selection of several “focus countries” where SmartCHP technology could be effectively applied and tested. The focus countries are Croatia, Greece, the Netherlands, Romania, and Sweden. The public report can be found on the project’s website.
To foster knowledge exchange, gather feedback on R&D activities and enhance networking in the area, a stakeholder forum dedicated to biomass-based CHP – BIOCOGEN 2030 – has been established, together with sister project Blaze. So far more than 150 stakeholders have registered to the forum and three (online) dissemination events have been organised.
The SmartCHP concept is a new concept with some specific features:
o Using fast pyrolysis oil –a 2nd generation, sustainable biofuel- as primary fuel;
o A flexible heat to power ratio (from 1:1 to 10:1) with high efficiency over the entire range;
o Demand driven, without having to rely on external heat/power grids for balancing purposes. System capacity can be tailored to meet variable user demands in time;
Higher heat to power ratios are specifically suitable for integration in a RES net, increasing the uptake capacity of solar/wind power systems.
On a general standpoint the development of the SmartCHP technology will contribute to the fulfilment of two out of the three RED 2030 targets (i.e. at least 40% cuts in greenhouse gas emissions -from 1990 levels- and at least 32% share for renewable energy). In the longer term, the development of the SmartCHP technology will also support the new electricity market design providing future local energy markets with a flexibility solution delivering a wide range of heat to electricity ratios at very high efficiency. To attain these goals, ambitious R&I targets have been set in agreement with the sectorial stakeholders, for renewable technologies with great potential for cost-reductions, performance improvements and large-scale deployment worldwide.
The final result of SmartCHP is an integrated system consisting of an engine, boiler and flue gas treatment system adapted and optimized to run on FPBO (TRL 5). A real-time, predictive, dynamic model will be developed to find the optimal operation point at all energy demands. Techno-economic, socio-economic and environmental assessments will be performed to identify real market opportunities. The SmartCHP unit will be based on standard diesel engines, and specific investment costs are expected to be around 1,400 Eur/kWe; an electricity price below 0.10 Eur/kWh is realistic. Several case studies will be presented to illustrate the opportunities throughout Europe.
o Using fast pyrolysis oil –a 2nd generation, sustainable biofuel- as primary fuel;
o A flexible heat to power ratio (from 1:1 to 10:1) with high efficiency over the entire range;
o Demand driven, without having to rely on external heat/power grids for balancing purposes. System capacity can be tailored to meet variable user demands in time;
Higher heat to power ratios are specifically suitable for integration in a RES net, increasing the uptake capacity of solar/wind power systems.
On a general standpoint the development of the SmartCHP technology will contribute to the fulfilment of two out of the three RED 2030 targets (i.e. at least 40% cuts in greenhouse gas emissions -from 1990 levels- and at least 32% share for renewable energy). In the longer term, the development of the SmartCHP technology will also support the new electricity market design providing future local energy markets with a flexibility solution delivering a wide range of heat to electricity ratios at very high efficiency. To attain these goals, ambitious R&I targets have been set in agreement with the sectorial stakeholders, for renewable technologies with great potential for cost-reductions, performance improvements and large-scale deployment worldwide.
The final result of SmartCHP is an integrated system consisting of an engine, boiler and flue gas treatment system adapted and optimized to run on FPBO (TRL 5). A real-time, predictive, dynamic model will be developed to find the optimal operation point at all energy demands. Techno-economic, socio-economic and environmental assessments will be performed to identify real market opportunities. The SmartCHP unit will be based on standard diesel engines, and specific investment costs are expected to be around 1,400 Eur/kWe; an electricity price below 0.10 Eur/kWh is realistic. Several case studies will be presented to illustrate the opportunities throughout Europe.