Biomass Electric

There are three core areas where fuel and energy are required for the modern lifestyle, these include heat, power and transportation. Biomass can be used to produce heat, electric or transportation fuels. The transportation market with green issues in mind seems to be moving towards more electric vehicles than liquid fuels. Here biomass electric generation will become more important to power our homes and our cars. So in what ways is biomass been used to generate electric energy. One process which is currently getting a lot of support, particularly in Europe, is running existing coal power plants on wood pellets. To stop serious climate change and permanent changes action needs to be taken now to reduce carbon emissions. Coal power is one of the worst polluters, and still provides much of the electric network. Wood pellets can be burnt along with coal in the power plants without any modifications to the plant. Therefore this is not only a cheap way to generate biomass electric energy it also is a fast way to make a green change. The wood pellets actually burn more efficiently than coal, and generate less emissions. Also because wood pellets are already part of the natural carbon cycle, they do not emit an increase in carbon emissions. Most power plants tried to used wood chips before using wood pellets, as the fuel is obviously cheaper. However the power plants quickly found burning wood chips due to the high moisture content and changes in size and density created many issues in regulating the plant to run efficiently.

Biomass Cogeneration and Heat / Power

On a smaller scale than a coal power plant, biomass electric energy can also be generated at the same time as providing heat, this is referred to as cogeneration. Cogeneration is often the most efficient means to capture as much energy from biomass as possible. Cogeneration to produce heat and electric energy can be initiated on a community heating project down to an individual home. One method is to install a modern closed loop steam engine to a wood pellet stove or wood pellet boiler. These modern steam engine designs are practically maintaince free.

Biomass Gas and Powering Generators

The other process to generate heat and electric energy from biomass is to process the biomass into a gas through a gasifier. This gas can then be used in an engine to power a generate to make electric energy. Internal combustion engines are actually not very efficient, and for every unit of mechanical energy, there is an equal unit of heat energy. Therefore this would generate both heat and power. If you do not require the electric power you generate, you can then sell it back to the national grid to generate an additional income.

Biomass Plants To Process Fuel Pellets

To make a gasifier run consistently, they also require a quality fuel, and this means pellets. So how are pellets made and can this be done on a small scale. The simple answer is yes, pellets can even be made from home. In fact making pellets on a small scale if the raw material and end consumer are close, is often more efficient than large scale pellet production. The reason in transportation costs are reduced.

Biomass Pellet Mill Guide

The Wood Pellet Production Guide © PelHeat Ltd - Biomass Electric