Wood to Warmth – Combined Heat and Power Michael Beech TV Energy September 2010
Combined Heat & Power Biomass CHP (Combined Heat & Power) Generation of electricity and use of the heat as the by-product Match to a year-round base heat load (and/or cooling load via absorption chiller) Technically challenging when using woody biomass at small scale (below 1MW electricity output) Double ROCs available for electricity generated from clean biomass, plus ??p/kWh heat from Renewable Heat Incentive Low heat to power ratio is an advantage Must use the heat, otherwise very inefficient Capital cost is high (typically £5,000/kWe for <100kWe) September 2010
Combined Heat & Power Steam boiler & turbine Steam from combustion of biomass in steam boiler drives turbine. 12% electrical efficiency at small scale, ~5:1 heat to power ratio Stirling engine External heat engine. Hot gases from direct combustion of biomass or combustion of fuel gas from updraft gasification are routed to heat exchanger, driving reciprocating machine. 18% electrical efficiency, 3:1 heat to power ratio September 2010
Combined Heat & Power High speed turbine Hot gases from combustion process drives high speed turbine, 20% electrical efficiency, 3:1 heat to power ratio. Machine required to operate constantly at full output Internal combustion engine Fuel gas from downdraft gasification to engine. Carry over tars and particulates difficult to eradicate, unless filtered/ scrubbed will quickly destroy engines. 25% electrical efficiency, 2:1 heat to power ratio Organic rankine cycle Heat from combustion process to thermal oil turbine. 15% electrical efficiency, 4:1 heat to power ratio September 2010
Combined Heat & Power Biomass CHP Steam boiler and turbine September 2010
Combined Heat & Power Biomass CHP Updraft gasifier Stirling engine September 2010
Combined Heat & Power Biomass CHP High speed turbine Downdraft gasifier & IC engine September 2010
Thank you michael.beech@tvenergy.org September 2010