Objective
The aim of the project is to develop a cost-effective system for on-farm electricity generation based on an indirectly heated gas turbine cycle operating on biomass fuels.
Specific objectives are :
- to market survey the demand for small-scale 50-250 KW on-farm electricity
generation / CHP systems in relation to use of energy crops in participating
European countries and the potential markets in Europe and world-wide for
European manufactured equipment;
- to assess the economics of an on-farm generating systems using an indirectly
fired gas turbine plant;
- to establish the technical aspects relating to the modification and heat exchanger
development;
- to carry out a value engineering study to determine the optimal parameter for the
system;
- to develop a specification and detail design for costing an experimental system;
Under current CAP legislation, large amounts of the most productive arable land in Europe are to be taken out of food crop production. Some of this could be used for growing fuel for electricity production. At present the market value of wood chips for fuel is too low to be viable for a large number of producers unless the value is added to the woodfuel on the farm, i.e. electricity production could be farm based. Few reliable technologies are suitable at the small scale but the indirectly fired turbine is a solution to this problem. Most of the components are available but will require some
modification and development work. The turbine, compressor, furnace and low temperature recuperator would be derived from existing technologies.
The potential for self-production and sale of the electricity to the distribution grid, or directly to local consumers, would be examined. The project will include a study of the scope for use of the electricity and waste heat on the farm or by local agricultural and industrial consumers. A detailed study of the thermodynamic variables for various turbine-engine configurations will be made in order to establish an optimal thermodynamic cycle based on technical and economic criteria. Laboratory work on ash fouling of heat exchanger surfaces at high temperature, will be required. The study will provide a design and economics of a demonstration plant to be used on a farm.
Fields of science
- social scienceseconomics and businesseconomics
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectrical engineeringpower engineeringelectric power generationcombined heat and power
- agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculture
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuels
- agricultural sciencesagricultural biotechnologybiomass
Topic(s)
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinator
7500 AE ENSCHEDE
Netherlands