Biomass Technology Update - EPRI

1 Biomass Technology Update Dave O'Connor Manager, Biomass Projects Renewable Energy Council June 30, 2010. Agenda Introducing Biomass into the Generation Portfolio Costs and Implications of Biomass Options Research Issues EPRI R&D Program Questions and Discussion 2010 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. All rights reserved. 2. MW from Biomass Liquid fuels ethanol: no, biodiesel: yes, others: sure Methane from landfill, digesters: important GHG. contribution, small electric sector penetration Cofiring Direct Firing Thermal Treatment Gasification Pyrolysis Upgrading ( drying /Pelletizing and Torrefaction). 2010 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. All rights reserved.

2 3. Biomass Resources High moisture Geographically disseminated Can have undesirable and favorable constituents and components Typically fibrous Cost varies considerably Amenable to upgrading Energy density is low 2010 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. All rights reserved. 4. Combustion Based Electric Power Direct Combustion Gadsden, Alabama Fluid Bed Stoker Pneumatic Injection Repowered units Awirs, Belgium Co-Combustion (Cofiring). Typically in coal-fired units Some investigation into co-firing with gas Liquid fuels in CT. Solid fuels in boiler 2010 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. All rights reserved. 5. Co-Firing with Coal Commonly mixed with fuel or directly injected into boiler Probably 20 different cofiring approaches Operations issues Handling, storage, delivery Technical issues Catalyst life Corrosion Combustion Direct Injection Environmental impacts Studstrup, Demark Commercial application Not commonly economical in the US without externalities 2010 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.

3 All rights reserved. 6. Large Scale Deployment Options Abound for Direct Combustion Approach Industry Example Greenfield New Boiler Oglethorpe Power Cooperative announcements Modify Existing Boiler to Stoker or Georgia Power Plant Mitchell Fluid Bed Direct Firing in Existing Boiler FirstEnergy R. E. Burger or Ontario Power coal fleet Externally Gasify Biomass Xcel Energy Bay Front Replace Boiler with Turbine-Sized Northern Wood Power Plant FBC/Stoker Schiller Modify Gas Steam Unit Mississippi Power Plant Sweatt Many other options, combinations, and permutations are possible 2010 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. All rights reserved. 7. Biomass Gasification / Pyrolysis Gasification produces low to medium quality gas Multiple utility-scale atmospheric technologies Fixed Bed Updraft Fixed Bed Downdraft Fixed Bed Co-current Fluid Bed Gas used in CT/IC, repowering, upgrading, or cofiring Not quite ready for prime time?

4 Pyrolysis typically focuses on liquid products Similar to No. 2/6 oil or diesel, only highly acidic Not widely deployed, even at pilot scale, for electricity Potential for carbon recycling--biochar 2010 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. All rights reserved. 8. Biomass Upgrading--Torrefaction Source: ECN. 2010 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. All rights reserved. 9. Cost and Strategic Implications of Biomass Power Options + - $. Cofiring Flexible, fast Equipment Low capital, consequences, modest operational complexity operating Direct Capacity gain, new Site development Relatively high equipment issues capital cost Combustion: New Direct Use of existing Capacity loss Medium capital assets, relatively cost Combustion: fast Repowering Gasification Fuel flexibility, Largely unproven Relatively high environmental for power only, performance, heat attractive for as a product?

5 CHP. Upgrading Minimize power Unproven costs, High(?). plant investments, carbon footprint capacity loss 2010 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. All rights reserved. 10. Biomass R&D Needs/Opportunities Progress needed for repowering and co-firing Resource availability / fuel cycle Fuel processing & handling O&M. Combustion and environmental control Environmental impact Performance and demonstration 2010 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. All rights reserved. 11. Biomass Resource Availability / Fuel Cycle Supply Security Trees to transport'. Initial studies show electric route offers efficiency, GHG advantages over cellulosic ethanol Energy supply chain Promote/encourage energy crops Harvesting issues Seasonal issues / storage Plant delivery systems Forestry management Economics of competing feedstocks RPS.

6 Exports 2010 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. All rights reserved. 12. Biomass Fuel Processing / Handling Torrefied fuel Various feedstocks Wood, grasses, reeds Performance in utility service Economics Fuel drying to improve efficiency Ag waste or seasonal storage Best practices 2010 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. All rights reserved. 13. Biomass Operations & Maintenance Supply-side optimization Varying co-firing fractions and feedstock Operating strategies Reliability centered maintenance Slagging and fouling Predictive tools for minimizing impact of Biomass Emission control equipment 2010 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. All rights reserved.

7 14. Biomass Combustion & Environmental Control Impact on SCR systems Catalyst de-activation Catalyst poisoning Feasibility of Biomass with CCS. Impact of various Biomass feedstocks Corrosion Deposition Ash characterization Emissions 2010 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. All rights reserved. 15. Biomass Environmental Impact Life-cycle assessment -- Is Biomass carbon neutral? Sustainability concerns Soil quality/stand productivity Water quality Biological diversity/habitat Changes in forestry management Maintain water quality Reduce environmental impact Fugitive emissions air quality studies Increase in dust at site boundary Emissions from truck unloading mechanisms Emissions benefits (credits, etc) a moving target 2010 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.

8 All rights reserved. 16. Biomass Performance / Demonstration Evaluate co-firing technologies Co-milling Direct injection Multi-waste Design tools Modular design/construction Optimum size Co-location study of torrefaction facility Permitting guidance and data Small (2-10 MW) distributed generation Large-scale demonstration 2010 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. All rights reserved. 17. 2010 Research Activities EPRI Base Funded Test Burns of Torrefied Pellets Sustainability Investigations Supply Chain Guidelines Biomass Properties Database Torrefied Biomass Initiatives (TI). Repowering Screening Analysis (Internal funds). 2010 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.

9 All rights reserved. 18. 2010 Research Activities--Supplemental Pressurized Biomass Gasification Transport Reactor Pressurized Biomass Gasification GTI Gasifier Assessment of Brownfield Biomass Unit Costs Repowering Using Direct Injection Cofiring Direct Injection System Design Best Practices Biomass Handling Environmental Permitting for Biomass Plants Biomass Impacts on Environmental Control Equipment Biofuels Crop Research and others yet to start 2010 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. All rights reserved. 19. Technical Highlights Biomass Torrefaction TI Project 2009-2010. Develop Technology for torrefaction of various Biomass feedstocks to facilitate direct co-firing with coal Woody Biomass Herbaceous Energy crops Bench top testing of feed stocks potential Torrefaction/pelletization process optimization Chips/pellet characterization Pilot scale feasibility Biomass pre-washing/leaching 2010 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.

10 All rights reserved. 20. Technical Highlights Biomass Torrefaction Torrefaction Technology application to co-firing (#1018661 3/2009). Evaluated seven species (3 woody /4 herbaceous). Torrefied material Pellets/pucks Initial Aspen-Plus modeling of torrefaction process Optimize process parameters Function of Biomass species Proposed Specs. for torrefied chips and pellets issued (# 1020506 12/2009). Small Scale Production test report issued (# 1020508 4/2010) Torrefied Southern Yellow Pine Chips 2010 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. All rights reserved. 21. Pilot-Scale Torrefaction Facility Summary Develop 5 ton/hour movable' facility to demonstrate feasibility Torrefaction and pelleting of local feedstock Test burns Emissions testing Exit Scope, budget TBD oolin g C.