Geração de energia atraves de biomassa

Renewable Energy, Vol, 6, No. 3, pp. 329-334, 1995

Pergamon 0960-1481(95)00012-7

Elsevier Science Ltd Printed in Great Britain 0960-1481/95 $9.50 + 0.00

ENERGY GENERATION FROM BIOMASS AND WASTE IN THE NETHERLANDS: A BRIEF OVERVIEW AND PERSPECTIVE H.A.M. Knoef and H.E.M. Stassen BTG Biomass Technology Group B.V., P.O.Box 217, NL-7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands ABSTRACT For a number of years, the interest in energy generation on the basis of biomass and waste has been increasing. A brief overview is given of biomass waste availability in the Netherlands. In recent years several new projects related to energy generation from biomass and waste are initiated in the Netherlands. The results and status of some major projects are outlined in this paper. In the short term only biomass waste (available at low and even negative prices) can play an important role. Establishment of a carbon tax will increase the feasibility of energy crops for energy generation.

KEYWORDS Biomass, energy crops, waste, conversion, energy, co-generation, co-combustion, the Netherlands

INTRODUCTION Within the European Community, the interest in energy generation from biomass and waste is increasing. The reason is twofold. Firstly, the production surpluses and the corresponding rising expenditures for subsidies in the agricultural sector urge for the development of new markets for the agricultural products. Should feasible cultivation of biomass for energy utilisation occur, positive impacts on the sector may be expected. Secondly, utilisation of biomass for energy generation results in reduced CO2- and SO2-emissions, which is important for combatting the greenhouse-effect and acid rain. Several routes exist along which biomass can be converted into useable energy. Important thermal conversion technologies are combustion, gasification and pyrolysis. For high oil-content or sugarcontent energy crops, physical-chemical (extraction) and biochemical (anaerobic digestion, fermentation)