Valorization of Biomass Power Generation System: Noble Use of Combustion and Integration with Energy Storage
Chihiro Fushimi
Abstract
For the development of sustainable energy and a great reduction of CO2 emission into the atmosphere, renewable energy has been rapidly installed and used in the last two decades. Many biomass power plants have been built and operated because the combustion of biomass is considered to be renewable and carbon neutral. In this review, the following topics are summarized: (1) economic values of bioproducts, (2) many restrictions of biomass power generation systems such as (i) very low energy efficiency from solar power to electricity, (ii) limiting amount of resource, and (iii) requirement of fuel cost for operation, and (3) characteristics of combustion technologies including drawbacks and the following strong points: (i) high power, (ii) high-temperature heat generation, and (iii) utilization for hygiene or sanitation purposes. The reduction of simple combustion and the noble use of combustion technology by effectively utilizing these strongpoints are required to greatly reduce CO2 emission even if renewable biomass is used. Next-generation biomass power generation systems integrated with variable renewable energy and energy storage system for non-steady-state operation are proposed as a promising method to balance the intermittent electricity supply by variable renewable energy and electricity demands.