The AER technology is suitable e.g. for the following applications:
a) Decentralised Combined Heat and Power Generation
b) Hydrogen / Synthesis gas from biomass
c) Integration in industrial processes (pulp, cement, lime)
The first option is supposed to be applicable in the next 3 - 5 years. For example, the FICFB gasifier of the power plant at Guessing (Austria) can be adapted to the AER technology by replacing the inert bed material with a reactive CO2 absorbent bed material. The downstream gas-cleaning unit can probably be reduced, because the product gas of an AER gasifier has low tar content and fewer pollutants. Thus, it is probably directly usable in a gas engine.
In the near future, there is no market for costly renewable hydrogen or synfuel, as these products are generated in large amounts from fossil fuels at low costs. Nevertheless, the AER process enables the production of renewable hydrogen (and synfuels - via downstream fuel synthesis) and is therefore very important with view to long-term energy supply. In combination with fuel cells it might also be an approach for small power plants.
The integration of an AER gasifier in industrial processes reduces investment cost significantly and upgrades the over all process. On the other hand, the new technology is not yet available for economical operation - further research and optimisation are necessary.