Energy Systems and Technologies for the Coming Century ...

other and more valuable purposes.Common to all three scenarios, in parallel with the development of technologies and concepts forthe conversion process, logistics for the collection, storage and transport of the biomass from fieldto process facilities must be introduced.New facilitiesAt several locations in Europe there are targeted efforts to erect a number of new large, dedicated biofacilitiesbased on a mix of overseas imported biomass in a combination with domestic supplies. Theseconcepts are based on more or less known technologies and a value chain as we know it from coal. Both asregards fuel supply as well as combustion. Technologically the concepts are working with CFB and dustfiredplants.Similarly, there are various incentives dedicated to using the energy content of slurry at European level.Some countries focus on using this resource at local level whereas other regions focus on upgrading thebiogas to a quality at the level of natural gas which would allow “storage” and transport of the gas fromsource to consumer.Existing facilitiesFor more than two decades, the Danish energy producers have been operating co‐firing plants adding strawto coal in the central power stations. This has provided these producers with valuable know‐how about thelogistics involved – collection, transport, processing and the process of co‐firing with coal without damageto the boiler. More than two decades of experience with large‐scale collection of local biomass hasdemonstrated that establishing capacity – from logistics to handling of the biomass – is a very timeconsumingprocess. The parties involved are part of a value chain which is outside the power station’scontrol and most of these come from a completely different world. A challenge not to be underestimated(Figure 2).Risø International Energy Conference 2011 Proceedings Page 253