FAIR-CT98-9533 Research and development of markets and supply strategies for short rotation forestry, forest residue fuels and conversion technology for CHP

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Electricity : FAIR Area 1.1 - Biomass and Bioenergy Chain : Forestry : Solid Biofuels : Thermochemical Conversion : Wood (Lignocellulose)

	Contract No:	FAIR-CT98-9533
	Date Prepared:	February 2001
	Source:	Final Report

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Final Report Abstract

Source: Final Report, February 2001

Consortium: The co-ordinator of this CRAFT project was The Swedish Machinery Testing Institute, Uppsala (Sweden), in partnership with Energy Biomass Limited, Londonderry ( Northern Ireland), Western Forestry Co-operative Limited, Sligo (Ireland), Forestry Contracting Association, Inverurie (UK), Ulster Agricultural Organisation Society Ltd., Craigavon (Northern Ireland), SNT Svensk Maskinprovning AB, Uppsala (Sweden)

Objectives: The aim of this project was to carry out research and development of markets and supply strategies for short rotation forestry, forest residue fuels and conversion technology for combined heat and power production. The study area was the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, however experience from other European countries is applied in the project and markets for the technology outside the study area were examined.

The main project research objectives were:

1. Energy production cost reduction by elimination of aqueous waste and reduction of the installed cost through the use of turbocharging.
2. Reduction in environmental impact by reducing emissions from exhaust gas through engine modifications and catalytic conversion.
3. Increasing the moisture content of fuels that can be used in the system through changing gasification conditions.
4. To research the operating and cost data associated with continuous heat and electricity generation from short rotation forestry and forest residues.
5. To develop integrated cost-effective fuel supply strategies from forest residues for electricity and heat generation.
6. To develop integrated cost effective fuel supply strategies from short rotation forests.

Activities: The project team members have a common interest in developing niche markets in the energy field for electricity and heat generation from wood fuel. More specifically the Western Forestry Co-operative (WFC) and Forestry Contracting Association (FCA) are interested in developing wood fuel supplies and end uses for forest residue material. Ulster Agricultural Organisation Society (UAOS) are interested in developing wood fuel supplies and end uses for short rotation forestry. B9 Energy Biomass (B9) has an interest in the development of the conversion technology for these wood fuels. Svensk Maskinprovning (SMP), a Research Institute, carries out research on behalf of SMEs to improve the environmental and economic acceptability of conversion technology and adapt it to the new fuels; forest residues and short rotation forestry.

The research programme was divided into four work packages progressing in parallel with total project duration of 30 months. These covered :

• Forest residue supply strategy, resource and markets (WFC and FCA).
• Short rotation forestry supply strategy, resource and markets (UAOS, WFC and B9)
• Conversion technology improvements in efficiency, environmental acceptability, adjustment to short rotation and forest residues (SMP)
• Market research and development of strategies for conversion technology (B9).

As a whole the activities provided research to support business opportunities for SMEs to develop niche markets in electricity and heat generation for fuels from short rotation forestry, forest residues and in conversion equipment. The market research targeted Ireland and the United Kingdom with other opportunities in Europe being prioritised for the future.

Progress: The project is complete.

Achievements: The project:

• Established the potential of wood fuel resource from forestry, the development of forest residues and the costs of production.
• Developed the most cost effective supply strategy for fuelling CHP plants with forest residues and short rotation forestry.
• Carried out research into the effect of harvesting forest residues on organic build up and nutrient availability.
• Established locations and quantities of potential wood fuel resources from short rotation forestry
• Developed production costs for short rotation forestry and required margins to compete with existing land use.
• Raised awareness amongst various organisations and groups as to the use of wood fuel for energy production.
• Looked at the installation and operation of a test rig suitable for carrying out the research programme.
• Developed operating criteria required to eliminate the aqueous waste stream and use higher moisture content fuels.
• Developed the operating criteria to achieve maximum power output with turbocharging.
• Showed reduction of engine exhaust emissions through the use of engine modifications and catalytic conversion.
• Developed of heat recovery and energy balances for dual fuel and spark ignition based systems. Successfully operated the test rig on forestry residues and short rotation forestry.
• Evaluated capital and operating costs for CHP systems fuelled from these new sources.
• Evaluated the viability of the technology in EU countries to assess market potential.

Future Actions: These will be carried out along the lines detailed in (confidential) technology implementation plans for project.