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PhD Thesis - Energy Systems Research Unit - University of Strathclyde

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There are various models available which allow the analysis <strong>of</strong> different aspects<br />

<strong>of</strong> bioenergy system design [16]. For example, BEAM [17] is a spreadsheetbased<br />

decision support system that allows the easy technical and economic<br />

evaluation <strong>of</strong> integrated biomass to electricity systems. This is done by splitting<br />

the process into three different stages – the production <strong>of</strong> various feedstocks<br />

(biomass and waste), the conversion <strong>of</strong> these into a suitable energy carrier via<br />

gasification, pyrolysis, fermentation or combustion, and the generation <strong>of</strong><br />

electricity via gas or steam turbines, internal combustion or diesel engines.<br />

BEAM allows the user to look at the overall planning issues related to the type,<br />

siting, number and sizing <strong>of</strong> biomass plant by permitting the comparison <strong>of</strong> the<br />

relative cost <strong>of</strong> different feedstock types, supply strategies, and generating<br />

methods. A similar analysis may be carried out with the BIOPOWER program<br />

[18], where the cost <strong>of</strong> power generation from a similar range <strong>of</strong> fuels and power<br />

technologies may be compared. These models, however, are complex, and<br />

require data that is not easily available.<br />

Another system, Biomass Toolkit [19] provides a group <strong>of</strong> programs that make<br />

up a diagnostic tool for the assessment <strong>of</strong> bioenergy projects at a local or<br />

regional level. This gives an assessment <strong>of</strong> biomass resource availability, a<br />

technical and economic evaluation allowing selection <strong>of</strong> the most appropriate<br />

conversion technologies, and an assessment <strong>of</strong> the environmental impact,<br />

acceptability and other non-technical factors for proposed projects. Some<br />

consideration is also given here to the time dependant output <strong>of</strong> crops and their<br />

by-products. These programs all look at the use <strong>of</strong> biomass and waste<br />

technologies on their own, and are useful when considering the comparative<br />

merits <strong>of</strong> different biomass and waste related energy systems, and the overall<br />

planning issues involved, when this is the only technology being considered.<br />

A similar program, MODEST [20] allows the optimisation <strong>of</strong> dynamic energy<br />

systems that have time dependant components and boundary conditions, in order<br />

to minimize life cycle costs. This program is capable <strong>of</strong> considering demands<br />

for electricity and heat, and divides the year into seasons, and each season into<br />

chosen time periods, in order to find the best operation pr<strong>of</strong>ile to meet the heat<br />

73

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