Biomass to Energy in Germany Past – Present – Future an Overview Prof. Dr. Bernd Stephan University of Applied Science Bremerhaven, Germany

Consumption of Primary Energy (IEA/ BEE, Germany) World TWh/year2003 World TWh/year2003 EC TWh/year2003 EC TWh/year2003 Germany TWh/year2005 Germany TWh/year2005

Structure of Energy Consumption World - EC25 – Germany (IEA/BEE-eV) WorldEC25Germany (2003)(2003)(2005) (%) (%) Natural Gas Nuclear Renewables Coal Mineral oil Total (TWh/year)

Energy Consumption Germany 2002 to 2005, BEE-eV % Natural Gas Nuclear Renewables Lignite Mineral Coal Mineral Oil

Utilization of Renewables in Germany in 2004 (%) Biomass solid44.1 Biomass liquid 0.1 Biomass gaseous 6.3 Solar thermal 1.8 Geothermal 1.1 Waste 6.4 Biodiesel 7.2 Rape oil/ethanol 0.4 Hydropower14.7 Wind energy17.5 Photovoltaic 0.3

Primary Energy for Generating Electricity in Germany Lignite27% Lignite27% Nuclear Power27% Nuclear Power27% Coal24% Coal24% Renewables12% Renewables12% (including hydropower) (including hydropower) Natural gas 9% Natural gas 9% Fuel oil 1% Fuel oil 1%

What is meant by „Biomass“ ? Materials produced by metabolic activities of biological systems and/or products of their decomposition or conversion Materials produced by metabolic activities of biological systems and/or products of their decomposition or conversion The materials are based on carbon compounds The materials are based on carbon compounds The chemical and energetic value of those materials is based on the carbon-carbon and carbon-hydrogen bond The chemical and energetic value of those materials is based on the carbon-carbon and carbon-hydrogen bond Biomass suitable for utilization must have a net heating value Biomass suitable for utilization must have a net heating value Biomass is collected and stored solar energy Biomass is collected and stored solar energy

Sources of Biomass agriculture agriculture residues from forestry, specific industries (e.g. furniture production, saw dust), food processing residues from forestry, specific industries (e.g. furniture production, saw dust), food processing solid municipal and industrial wastes solid municipal and industrial wastes used wood e.g. from old furniture, used timber used wood e.g. from old furniture, used timber marine systems: the oceans of our world contain much more biomass than existing on the continents (but they are not regarded as a source of biomass for energetic utilization) marine systems: the oceans of our world contain much more biomass than existing on the continents (but they are not regarded as a source of biomass for energetic utilization)

Biomass contributions to energy supply in Germany: thermal energy Wood Wood Wood residues Wood residues Municipal waste Municipal waste Sewage sludge Sewage sludge Agricultural waste Agricultural waste

Biomass contributions to energy supply in Germany: electrical energy Wood Wood Biogas Biogas Waste incineration Waste incineration Fermentation of sewage sludge Fermentation of sewage sludge Biogas from industrial waste water Biogas from industrial waste water

Biomass Conversion Microbial treatment Microbial treatment Thermal treatment Thermal treatment Chemical treatment Chemical treatment Combinations Combinations Mechanical processes Mechanical processes

Microbial Treatment Long traditions in many cultures in the field of food processing e.g. beer brewing, alcoholic fermentation, preservation technologies as lactic acid fermentation Long traditions in many cultures in the field of food processing e.g. beer brewing, alcoholic fermentation, preservation technologies as lactic acid fermentation Waste treatment in agriculture and food industry by aerobic treatment (composting) and anaerobic fermentation Waste treatment in agriculture and food industry by aerobic treatment (composting) and anaerobic fermentation Treatment of municipal and industrial waste water Treatment of municipal and industrial waste water (Pre)Treatment of solid waste containing organic materials (Pre)Treatment of solid waste containing organic materials

Alcoholic fermentation

Aerobic Processes Agricutural wastes: Traditional method: composting Treatment of solid urban waste: Technology with good prospects Pretreatment of hazardous waste Treatment of gaseous phases for desodorizing (e.g. compost filters in fish industry)

Composting Composting is a traditional technology in agriculture and gardening. Today there are processes of treatment of municipal waste which make use of the heat of composting for drying the solid waste before separation under investigation. There is no significant contribution to the enegy supply of Germany by composting of biomass. Composting is a traditional technology in agriculture and gardening. Today there are processes of treatment of municipal waste which make use of the heat of composting for drying the solid waste before separation under investigation. There is no significant contribution to the enegy supply of Germany by composting of biomass. Composting of mixtures of municipal and organic waste of food industry is implemented in many cities Composting of mixtures of municipal and organic waste of food industry is implemented in many cities

Anaerobic Digestion: Biogas History History in Germany starting with utilization of „marsh gas“ in the 19th century: gas tight drums with an diameter of about 2 to 3 meter were placed upside down into the wet lands for gas collection and gas utilization for cooking – similar to the Indian Gabor Gas plant History in Germany starting with utilization of „marsh gas“ in the 19th century: gas tight drums with an diameter of about 2 to 3 meter were placed upside down into the wet lands for gas collection and gas utilization for cooking – similar to the Indian Gabor Gas plant Around 1920 trucks of public services were operated with compressed biogas from digestion of sewage sludge – in the fifties of the 20th century this was given up due to low cost mineral oil Around 1920 trucks of public services were operated with compressed biogas from digestion of sewage sludge – in the fifties of the 20th century this was given up due to low cost mineral oil In the fifties of last century some farmers build biogas plants for the treatment of aninmal wastes – the technology was based on different principles and processes In the fifties of last century some farmers build biogas plants for the treatment of aninmal wastes – the technology was based on different principles and processes The oil price crisis in the seventies stimulated broad activities on the research and implementation side of agricultural biogas plants and resulted in optimized plant design and process performance. About 200 plants were bulit and operated at that time, but could not compete with the market prices for gas or liquid hydrocarbons. The oil price crisis in the seventies stimulated broad activities on the research and implementation side of agricultural biogas plants and resulted in optimized plant design and process performance. About 200 plants were bulit and operated at that time, but could not compete with the market prices for gas or liquid hydrocarbons. The energy policy of German Federal Government now subsidies the utilization of renewables – as a result the market for big biogas plant goes up (most of them are connected to cogeneration plants) The energy policy of German Federal Government now subsidies the utilization of renewables – as a result the market for big biogas plant goes up (most of them are connected to cogeneration plants)

Potential of Biogas Animal excreta 4.5 Animal excreta 4.5 Vegetable residues from agriculture Vegetable residues from agriculture Wastes from Industry Wastes from Industry Waste from parks and gardens Waste from parks and gardens Organic municipal waste 0.6 Organic municipal waste 0.6 Energy crops 3.7 Energy crops 3.7 TOTAL TOTAL Potential of Potential of total (PJ/year)electric. (TWh/a) total (PJ/year)electric. (TWh/a) (billion m 3 /a)

Thermal and Chemical Processes Combustion Combustion Pyrolysis Pyrolysis Chemical Prozesses: hydrogenation, transesterification Chemical Prozesses: hydrogenation, transesterification Process combinations (e.g. the Choren- Process: BTL „biomass to liquid“) Process combinations (e.g. the Choren- Process: BTL „biomass to liquid“)

Mechanical Processes Filtering Filtering Dewatering Dewatering Sedimetation Sedimetation Chopping/Cutting Chopping/Cutting Pelletising Pelletising

Main ressources for energetic utilization – now and in future Organic residues from agriculture, agro industries, waste water treatment, kitchens and restaurants Organic residues from agriculture, agro industries, waste water treatment, kitchens and restaurants Energy crops including oil seeds Energy crops including oil seeds Wood and wood residues Wood and wood residues Municipal solid waste (waste incineration) Municipal solid waste (waste incineration)

Conversion Technologies – state of the art Biogas Biogas Incineration Incineration Pyrolysis Pyrolysis BTL (Biomass to liquid) BTL (Biomass to liquid)

Biogas Plants

Biogas Production process: the main steps Collection and (pre)treatment Collection and (pre)treatment Producing a slurry with balanced composition (e.g. water-content, total organic solids. C/N ratio) Producing a slurry with balanced composition (e.g. water-content, total organic solids. C/N ratio) Feeding of reactor with constant rate Feeding of reactor with constant rate Keeping fermenter at nearly constant temperature of about 33 o Centigrade Keeping fermenter at nearly constant temperature of about 33 o Centigrade Mixing of substrate during fermentation Mixing of substrate during fermentation Gas collection, purification, utilization (heat and electricity) Gas collection, purification, utilization (heat and electricity) Collection and utilization of fermented slurry e.g as high value organic fertilizerer Collection and utilization of fermented slurry e.g as high value organic fertilizerer

Anaerobic Digestion of Sewage Sludge Sewage sludge is fermented and used to cover the energy demand of the waste water treatment plants. By doing this those plants need no external energy. The biogas is used for cogeneration of heat for the digesters an electricity for the aerobic waste water purification process (energy for pumping and aeration of the waste water).

Wood Incineration units Normally chopped wood or chopped woodv residues are used as feeding materials for large cogeneration plants Normally chopped wood or chopped woodv residues are used as feeding materials for large cogeneration plants For the heating of households pelletised materials are available. By using them the incineration process can be operated automatically. The cost for the pelletized wood in relation to mineral oil come to about 2/3 For the heating of households pelletised materials are available. By using them the incineration process can be operated automatically. The cost for the pelletized wood in relation to mineral oil come to about 2/3

Wood Incineration Plants - practical examples -

200kW-Plant for heat production Feed: chopped from forestry, 50 kg/h Feed: chopped from forestry, 50 kg/h Density of feed material: 0.25 kg/liter Density of feed material: 0.25 kg/liter Efficiency:0.85 Efficiency: hours of operation per year 1600 hours of operation per year Feed need per year: 380 m 3 Feed need per year: 380 m 3 Storage capacity for 2-3 weeks: 40 m 3 Storage capacity for 2-3 weeks: 40 m 3

19.5 MW – Plant for gerating heat and electricity Input „fresh“ and old wood chops, 5.33 t/h max Input „fresh“ and old wood chops, 5.33 t/h max Steam production: 25.5 t/h at 47 bar/430 oC), steam outlet from turbine: 2.2 bar/126 oC Steam production: 25.5 t/h at 47 bar/430 oC), steam outlet from turbine: 2.2 bar/126 oC Operation 8000 hours per year Operation 8000 hours per year Energy output electrical from 3.8 to 5.1 MW depending on heat delivery for the households Energy output electrical from 3.8 to 5.1 MW depending on heat delivery for the households Energy output thermal: maximum 10 MW Energy output thermal: maximum 10 MW

Wood – a big potential of the forests In Germany there are growing about 60 millions of m 3 wood per year, that can be harvested In Germany there are growing about 60 millions of m 3 wood per year, that can be harvested Thats is an energtic equivalent of about 1.5 TWh/a Thats is an energtic equivalent of about 1.5 TWh/a Compared to the actual energy consumtion of Germany this is a potential of 50% Compared to the actual energy consumtion of Germany this is a potential of 50% Actual energetic utilization of wood comes to 0.09 TWh/a Actual energetic utilization of wood comes to 0.09 TWh/a

Market prices for selected materials -current prices- Wood chops 50€ per 1000kg Wood chops 50€ per 1000kg Wood pellets (dry)200€ per 1000kg Wood pellets (dry)200€ per 1000kg Wood, fresh50-80 € per m 3 Wood, fresh50-80 € per m 3 Biodiesel based on rape oil0.95 € per Liter Biodiesel based on rape oil0.95 € per Liter Wheat100 € per 1000kg Wheat100 € per 1000kg Mineral oil650 € per 1000 Liters Mineral oil650 € per 1000 Liters

Energy content of wood based substrates average data water content calorific value oil equivalent (%)(kWh/kg)L oil/m 3 Pieces Pellets Chops Saw dust Wheat L/1000 kg

Biomass as fuel, biomass to fuel 1 Vegetable oil, fresh and used 1 Vegetable oil, fresh and used 2 Modified vegetable oil, biodiesel 2 Modified vegetable oil, biodiesel 3 Bioethanol 3 Bioethanol 4 Biogas 4 Biogas 5 Synthetic fuels 5 Synthetic fuels

Implementation Biofuels 1 to 4: proven technology of production and application proven technology of production and application 5: Under intense investgation with great potential: „sun fuel“, „BTL, Biomass to Liquid“

Biomas To Liquid: SunFuel (Choren) Modified „Fischer-Tropsch“ process: gasification of substrates at 400 to 500 o C with lack of oxygen, further oxidation above ash melting point, mixingof resulting gas mixture with solid carbon residues to produce a raw gas for furher specific synthesis (similar Fischer-Tropsch) Modified „Fischer-Tropsch“ process: gasification of substrates at 400 to 500 o C with lack of oxygen, further oxidation above ash melting point, mixingof resulting gas mixture with solid carbon residues to produce a raw gas for furher specific synthesis (similar Fischer-Tropsch) ton/year pilot plant is under operation ton/year pilot plant is under operation Cooperation with Shell, based on Gas to Liquid process, operated in Malaysia Cooperation with Shell, based on Gas to Liquid process, operated in Malaysia

Potential for SunFuel from… (million tons per year) Forestry 2.5 Forestry 2.5 Unused straw4.0 Unused straw4.0 Energy crops3 to 6 Energy crops3 to 6 Biomass available total Biomass available total (Germany) 30 (Germany) 30 EU EU 25115

Fuel Consumption (million tons per year) (exp) (exp) Biodiesel(est.) Biodiesel (exp.)11.1

Example of Research Plant Flash Pyrolysis

Explanation of components „flash pyrolysis“ 1 Storage 1 Storage 2,3 Feeding system 2,3 Feeding system 4 Fluidzed bed 4 Fluidzed bed 5 Dust separator 5 Dust separator 6 Heat exchanger 6 Heat exchanger 7 Cooling 7 Cooling 8 Electrostatic filter 8 Electrostatic filter 9 Flare 9 Flare 10 Compressor 11,12 Gas preheater 13 Overflow tank Öl: oil, liquid fuel From: Dr. D. Meier, Inst. Für Holzchemie u. chem. Technologie des Holzes, June 2004

Future The future development will be based on increasing production of energy crops, optimized utilization of organic residues and on thermal- chemical treatment of organic matter to produce gaseous and liquid fuels. The future development will be based on increasing production of energy crops, optimized utilization of organic residues and on thermal- chemical treatment of organic matter to produce gaseous and liquid fuels. There are lot of estimations for future contributions of biomass to energy supply, they will come to at least 20 or 30 percent until There are lot of estimations for future contributions of biomass to energy supply, they will come to at least 20 or 30 percent until 2020.