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Energy Systems and Technologies for the Coming Century ...

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parts or <strong>the</strong> means of en<strong>for</strong>cing warranty agreements can all help to ensure <strong>the</strong> longlasting adoption of <strong>the</strong> solutions.3.2 Biomass based electric powerThere are several technical options to trans<strong>for</strong>m <strong>the</strong> energy content of biomass toelectricity. Figure 4 illustrates <strong>the</strong> most conventional trans<strong>for</strong>mation paths, which are <strong>the</strong>production of fuels through gasification, anaerobic digestion or vegetable oil extractionto run engines-generator sets, fuel cells or (micro) turbines. On a global perspective,biomass resources are available in almost all climates. They already play a key role inmany economic <strong>and</strong> social activities <strong>and</strong> make part of environmental functions.There<strong>for</strong>e, designing sustainable schemes <strong>for</strong> using biomass <strong>for</strong> power generation is acomplex task that requires very case-specific assessment.Figure 4. Trans<strong>for</strong>mation paths to generate electric power from biomassParticularities of <strong>the</strong> biomass supply system have a significant influence on <strong>the</strong>environmental <strong>and</strong> social effects of <strong>the</strong> single measure <strong>for</strong> power supply <strong>and</strong> are crucial<strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> technical <strong>and</strong> economic feasibility. In general, <strong>the</strong> use of biomass from wasteflows may lead to environmental <strong>and</strong> social improvements <strong>and</strong> low operation costs, if <strong>the</strong>use of waste flows will not threat already established economic activities (e.g. fuel <strong>for</strong>cooking) or environmental functions (e.g. soil enhancement). In case woody biomass<strong>and</strong>/or crops are produced <strong>for</strong> energy purposes, changes in l<strong>and</strong> use patterns can result inboth, improvements or detrimental effects. The dem<strong>and</strong> of (additional) biomass <strong>for</strong>power may lead, <strong>for</strong> example, to re<strong>for</strong>estation of wastel<strong>and</strong>s, <strong>the</strong> enhancement of soils<strong>and</strong> additional income generation activities. On <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r h<strong>and</strong>, it can also lead toclearing of pristine <strong>for</strong>est, reduced production of food crops or intensification of conflictson l<strong>and</strong> ownership. There<strong>for</strong>e, thorough assessments of environmental <strong>and</strong> social impacts<strong>and</strong> transparent <strong>and</strong> participative consultation processes should make part of <strong>the</strong> earlydesign phases of each measure that seeks to encourage <strong>the</strong> use of biomass <strong>for</strong> energypurposes.The biomass supply system is also a decisive issue <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> feasibility of a project. Thereliable provision of biomass is crucial as <strong>the</strong> daily supply of electric power is dependenton <strong>the</strong> output of <strong>the</strong> agricultural <strong>and</strong>/or animal tenure activities. In <strong>the</strong> case of vegetableoil, <strong>the</strong> provision of energy is exposed to all traditional risks <strong>and</strong> uncertainties of seedproduction (e.g. unstable yields, pests, water scarcity, etc) <strong>and</strong> requires <strong>the</strong> allocation ofadditional labour (e.g. planting, weeding, harvesting, etc) <strong>and</strong> inputs (e.g. fertilizers,irrigation, etc). Seed harvest is seasonally. Thus, <strong>the</strong> actual yield of a season will impact<strong>the</strong> potential energy supply of a whole period between harvest seasons <strong>and</strong> storagecapacities has to be considered as part of <strong>the</strong> project. In <strong>the</strong> case of biogas-based power,<strong>the</strong> potential supply of substrate depends on <strong>the</strong> number of animals but also on <strong>the</strong>6Risø International <strong>Energy</strong> Conference 2011 Proceedings Page 350

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